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4h ago

Xavier Hosts Le Moyne as Pitino Seeks Cleaner Second Outing

The game serves as a tune-up for an 11-newcomer roster still searching for 40-minute defensive consistency.

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Overview

  • Xavier opened the Richard Pitino era 1-0 with a 66-62 win over Marist after squandering a 20-point second-half lead, sealed by Jovan Milicevic’s late go-ahead three.
  • Pitino said the blueprint for an effective defense is in place but emphasized that the group must sustain it for the full game.
  • Le Moyne enters 1-0 after a 94-50 victory over Division III SUNY Cobleskill, led by Deng Garang’s 16 points and Tennessee Rainwater’s 13.
  • The Dolphins are viewed as heavy underdogs in their third Division I season after finishing last year at KenPom No. 354 and being picked ninth in the NEC.
  • Tip is 7 p.m. at the Cintas Center on ESPN+ and 700 WLW, with Xavier seeking a 2-0 start for the 18th straight season as Malik Messina-Moore and All Wright look to build on strong debuts.