Hampton @ Xavier preview

Hampton at Xavier

Xavier has put on a show at the offensive end in its first three games, and the next act for the No. 17 Musketeers comes Monday when they host Hampton. Xavier is shooting at a blistering 57.7 percent clip and averaging 94 points behind one of the nation’s best duos in backcourt mates Trevon Bluiett and J.P. Macura.

After topping 100 points in blowout wins over Morehead State and Rider to open the season, the Musketeers posted an impressive 80-70 victory at Wisconsin on Thursday in the Gavitt Games. Bluiett and Macura combined for 45 points against the Badgers, and at 6-6 and 6-5, respectively, they will be a handful for the undersized Pirates. Hampton’s only win came against NAIA opponent Bluefield, but the Pirates played close games at William & Mary (83-76) and George Washington (65-57). Their largest margin of defeat was a 90-75 loss at Rider.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS1

ABOUT HAMPTON (1-3): The Pirates boast a big-time scorer in sophomore guard Jermaine Marrow (22 points, 5.5 assists), but he doesn’t always have much help at the offensive end. Fellow sophomore Greg Heckstall (10.5 points, 6.8 rebounds) is the only other double-digit scorer and the team’s leading rebounder despite standing just 6-6. The Pirates hung with George Washington on Saturday despite shooting 39 percent from the field and going 2-for-12 from 3-point range.

ABOUT XAVIER (3-0): Bluiett (25.3 points, 7.7 rebounds) and Macura (17.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists) steal the spotlight for the Musketeers, but they have two more teammates who average in double figures. Sophomore forward Tyrique Jones (13.7 points, 7.7 rebounds) is tied with Bluiett for the team lead in rebounds, and junior forward Kaiser Gates (12.3 points) is 10-of-19 from 3-point range. Xavier is shooting 40.6 percent from behind the arc while holding opponents to 26 percent from 3-point range.

TIP-INS

1. Xavier has won 32 consecutive nonconference home games dating to the 2012-13 season.

2. Bluiett and Macura have combined for 2,767 career points, second-most among active duos through Saturday.

3. Marrow has scored at least 17 points in six straight games dating to last season.

PREDICTION: Xavier 91, Hampton 63