Xavier @ Butler preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 5, 2019 ) Xavier 66, Butler 71

Xavier rolls into Indianapolis Wednesday night with a three-game winning streak and a chance to pull even with No. 20 Butler in the middle of the Big East standings. The Musketeers began the month near the bottom of the conference but trail fifth-place Butler and Providence by one game.

A 74-62 win at Big East leader Seton Hall on Feb. 1 started Xavier's three-game run, which is tied for the longest current win streak in the Big East. The Musketeers have won at DePaul and at home against Providence since, holding each opponent below 60 points. The Bulldogs have lost two of its last three games, with the latest setback coming Sunday at Marquette. Wednesday's matchup will be the first of the season between Xavier and Butler.

TIME: 6:30 p.m. ET. TV: CBS Sports Network

ABOUT XAVIER (16-8, 5-6 Big East): Winning away from home is difficult in the Big East, but the Musketeers bring a two-game road win streak into Hinkle Fieldhouse. One of the catalysts for the recent surge is Tyrique Jones, who totaled 14 points and 18 rebounds in Saturday's 64-58 victory over Providence for his sixth consecutive double-double. Naji Marshall, Xavier's leading scorer at 16 points per game, had an off night with five points against Providence, but Paul Scruggs, Zach Freemantle and freshman KyKy Tandy are alternatively stepping up to give the Musketeers multiple options, which could be pivotal going against a Bulldogs team that ranked 15th nationally in scoring defense at 61.2 points per game.

ABOUT BUTLER (18-6, 6-5): The Bulldogs' 19-point loss at Marquette was their largest margin of defeat this year and it put them four games behind Big East leader Seton Hall in the standings. All-American candidate Kamar Baldwin is Butler's leader (team-best 16.3 points per game), but the team's success or failure in recent games has hinged on second-leading scorer Sean McDermott's contributions. He's averaging 16.8 points in the Bulldogs' six Big East wins and seven in their five losses.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Jones was tied for third nationally in double-doubles with 16 and eighth in rebounding at 11.2 per game entering Tuesday.

2. Tandy, the reigning Big East Freshman of the Week, is averaging 13.2 points in Xavier's five Big East victories after averaging 11 in two wins last week.

3. Bryce Nze, Butler's leading rebounder at 6.7, is shooting a team-best 63.1 percent from the floor this season and averaging 11 points in the last six games.

PREDICTION: Xavier 67, Butler 64