Rider @ Xavier preview

No. 17 Xavier kicked off a promising 2017-18 season with its largest margin of victory in nearly 20 years. The Musketeers look to build off Friday's 52-point laugher as they continue their campaign Monday night against visiting Rider.

Almost everything went right for Xavier against Morehead State, as they shot nearly 68 percent from the field and better than 60 percent from beyond the arc in a 101-49 obliteration of the overmatched Eagles. Trevon Bluiett barely practiced as he nursed a shoulder injury, but poured in a game-high 25 points in just 22 minutes. "I was surprised that Tre shot as well as he did because he hasn't practiced a whole lot," head coach Chris Mack told reporters.. He's only been going (full speed) the past couple of days. That's not easy to do. He stepped right in and looked like he never left. He's a phenomenal player." Xavier follows up its first 100-point effort in five years against a Rider team that defeated Hampton 90-75 in its season opener.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT RIDER (1-0): Freshman guard Jordan Allen wasted no time making an impact on Broncs coaches and fans alike, pouring in a game-high 21 points on the strength of five 3-pointers in the victory over Hampton. He led a balanced attack in which all five starters finished in double figures in scoring, with Stevie Jordan adding 17 points and DePaul transfer Frederick Scott contributing 15 points and 14 rebounds in his first collegiate start. Rider knocked down 14 3-pointers in the victory, tying the highest single-game total in six years under head coach Kevin Baggett.

ABOUT XAVIER (1-0): The Musketeers did a remarkable job of sharing the wealth, racking up 26 assists on 36 made field goals; they were particularly prolific in the first half, with 17 of their 22 field-goal conversions having an assist attached. "Our emphasis is to create good shots for one another," Mack said. "That could be underneath the basket, that could be a 3, as long as we're trying to find one another and get good looks. If we can get the ball in the lane through plays and drives and make the extra pass ... we should be able to shoot at a high level." Xavier did struggle to hang on to the ball, turning it over 15 times.

TIP-INS

1. The Musketeers have won 31 consecutive non-conference home games dating back to December 2012.

2. Xavier shot 75.9 percent from the field in the first half of the win over Morehead State.

3. Allen's 21 points were the most by a Rider freshman in his first game in at least 22 years.

PREDICTION: Xavier 88, Rider 70