Villanova @ Xavier preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 30, 2019 ) Xavier 62, Villanova 68

Looking to cement its place in the NCAA Tournament, Xavier has a great opportunity to pick up an impressive win Saturday when it hosts No. 13 Villanova. The Wildcats won the first meeting between the teams this season and have won three in a row overall entering their matchup with the Musketeers.

Villanova recently lost three games in a row but since has rebounded to win its last three, including a comfortable 20-point road victory over DePaul its last time out. "Just be more solid every day and keep getting better with every practice and every game. That's our mentality," sophomore Saddiq Bey said after registering 20 points and seven assists against the Demon Deacons. Xavier was fortunate to come away with a win at St. John's its last time out, rallying from seven points down with seven minutes to go to win 77-74. "Anytime you win on the road with 22 turnovers -- I'm shocked," coach Travis Steele said. "I will say I was proud of how our guys stuck together."


TIME: 2:30 p.m. ET. TV: FOX

ABOUT VILLANOVA (20-6, 9-4 Big East): Bey's solid effort against DePaul was complemented by 17 points apiece from Collin Gillespie and Justin Moore and 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting off the bench by Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree. Bey has dished out 12 assists in the last two games after totaling three assists in his previous four games, while Gillespie has committed more than one turnover only twice in his last 11 contests. Moore had scored fewer than 10 points in four straight outings before erupting to knock down 4-of-5 3-pointers against DePaul - his fourth straight game with multiple 3-pointers.

ABOUT XAVIER (17-9, 6-7): Xavier used an 8-0 closing run to sneak past St. John's, rebounding from a five-point loss to Butler in its previous game, and the Musketeers appear to be on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble - for now. Naji Marshall leads the team in scoring at 16.1 points, while Tyrique Jones has been a consistent force with averages of 13.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 blocks. Jones is seeking his ninth consecutive double-double on Saturday, although he certainly would like to limit his turnovers after committing a season high-tying five turnovers against St. John's.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Gillespie had 16 points in the second half and 24 overall in a 68-62 triumph over Xavier back on Dec. 30.

2. Villanova made 18-of-26 3-pointers against DePaul - five apiece by Gillespie and Bey.

3. Marshall's 15 points and 11 rebounds against St. John's marked his first double-double of the season.

PREDICTION: Villanova 67, Xavier 62