DePaul @ Xavier preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 4, 2020 ) Xavier 67, DePaul 59

Xavier already has 10 losses - and the Musketeers don't want that number to get much higher as they attempt to catch the eye of the NCAA Tournament selection committee. Certainly one thing that would not help is a loss to DePaul on Tuesday when they teams square off in Big East action.

Xavier has dropped two of its last three games, albeit those were respectable defeats to Butler and Villanova. In a nine-point loss to the Wildcats the last time out, the Musketeers scored their fewest points in a home game since January 2013 as they shot under 36 percent from the floor and went 3-of-12 from 3-point range in a 64-55 setback against the experienced Wildcats. "That's the most physical team we've play all year, by far, and it's not even close," Xavier coach Travis Steele said. DePaul snapped an eight-game losing streak in its last game, upsetting Georgetown 74-68 to earn its second conference win.

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: CBS Sports Net

ABOUT DEPAUL (14-13, 2-12 Big East): The Blue Demons snuck by Georgetown thanks in large part to Charlie Moore, who scored 20 points and dished out seven assists. Romeo Weems added 19 points after scoring just two points against Villanova in the previous game. Paul Reed added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, not to mention three assists, three steals and three blocks, and will be looking for his 17th double-double of the campaign on Tuesday.

ABOUT XAVIER (17-10, 6-8): Tyrique Jones notched his ninth straight double-double in the loss to Villanova and is one away from tying the school record for consecutive double-doubles. He didn't score in the first half of that game but still finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds, pushing his season averages to 13.9 and 11.4, respectively. Naji Marshall averages a team-high 16.1 points and also has been a factor on the glass of late, pulling down 19 rebounds over the last two games while scoring in double figures in 13 of the last 14 contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Reed has notched multiple blocks in 10 of the last 14 games.

2. Xavier allowed 18 3-pointers against Villanova - one shy of the Wildcats' school record.

3. Xavier defeated DePaul 67-59 in Chicago on Feb. 4 as the Blue Demons scored only 16 points in the first half and never recovered.

PREDICTION: Xavier 70, DePaul 59