Siena @ Xavier preview

Siena at Xavier

Last Meeting ( Nov 8, 2019 ) Siena 63, Xavier 81

Xavier looks to finish its season-opening five-game homestand with a perfect mark when it faces Siena on Wednesday night in Cincinnati.

Xavier (4-0) is coming off a 75-60 win over Wake Forest on Saturday, led by Ryan Conwell's 21 points -- including 16 in the second half. Conwell also had four assists, three steals and no turnovers, earning a place on the Big East "Honor Roll" as recognition.

While Xavier scored 94 points in each of its wins over IU Indianapolis and Jackson State, defense was key on Saturday. Xavier forced 18 turnovers to keep the Demon Deacons from a rally.

"That's the track we're on, not only right now but as a program," Xavier coach Sean Miller said. "You want to be able to be good on both defense and offense and not reliant on just one."

Siena (3-1) suffered its first loss Saturday, a disappointing 70-60 road loss to the University of Albany in the annual Albany Cup.

Former Syracuse star player and assistant coach Gerry McNamara is in his first year as coach of the Saints, and he's embracing the chance to play a Big East team in a hostile environment.

"I'm used to being on the other side of these things, and now having the opportunity to go as a head coach and go against a caliber of team like Xavier, I'm really looking forward to it," McNamara said. "It's going to be a lot of fun. It's going to be a tall task, but a lot of fun."

Point guard Justice Shoats leads Siena, averaging 19.8 points, 4.3 assists and 2.5 steals in four games. Marcus Jackson is pulling down seven rebounds a game.

"It's exciting," Jackson said. "I'm ready to go. It's a good team, power school, so hopefully we'll go out there and make some noise and get the W."

The contest is the campus-site opener of the Fort Myers Tip-Off tournament. The Musketeers will play South Carolina on Monday in Fort Myers and then either Michigan or Virginia Tech on Wednesday. Siena will play Miami (Ohio) on Monday in Florida and either Jacksonville or Mercer on Tuesday.

--Field Level Media