Green Bay @ Xavier preview

Xavier fell out of the Top 25 in the latest coaches poll, but the Musketeers could play their way back in this week with two wins, starting at home with Green Bay on Wednesday night. Three days later, Xavier hosts rival Cincinnati in the annual Crosstown Shootout on Saturday.

First comes Green Bay, an opponent from the Horizon League that routed Montana State 98-72 on Saturday at the start of a four-game road trip. Two of the Phoenix's four losses were to Purdue (79-57) and Wisconsin (88-70) of the Big Ten. Xavier recovered from its only loss of the season, which came against Florida (70-65) on Nov. 24 in the Charleston Classic, to handle Lipscomb 87-62 on Saturday at home. The Musketeers have played well at the Cintas Center, where they've won nine consecutive games.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 2

ABOUT GREEN BAY (3-4): The Phoenix are known for playing an up-tempo style under coach Linc Darner and are averaging 77.7 possessions per game - the most in the nation - while shooting 47.9 percent from the field. JayQuan McCloud, a second-team All-Horizon League pick in 2019 and the club's top returning scorer, is averaging 14.7 points and leading the team in assists with 34. Amari Davis, the reigning Horizon League Freshman of the Week, made his first start last week but is Green Bay's top scorer (16.3) after averaging 20.7 points in the last three games while shooting 61.5 percent from the floor this season.

ABOUT XAVIER (7-1): Senior Tyrique Jones, named to the Charleston Classic all-tournament team, is the Musketeers' most productive all-around player with double-doubles in three of the past four games. His 14.3 scoring average ranks third on the team behind Paul Scruggs (15.3) and Naji Marshall (14.4), and Jones leads Xavier in rebounding with 8.9 boards. Marshall also leads the Musketeers in assists with 31 but has made only 8-of-39 from 3-point range.

TIP-INS

1. Xavier has struggled with its shooting (28.5 percent from 3-point range, 66.7 percent at the free throw line) and with turnovers (14.8 per game).

2. Musketeers Freshmen KyKy Tandy and Daniel Ramsey returned from injuries to play Saturday and fellow freshman Zach Freemantle scored a career-high 15 points.

3. Green Bay ranked 16th nationally entering Tuesday with 83.4 points per game.

PREDICTION: Xavier 81, Green Bay 71