Xavier men’s basketball snatched an 82-75 victory over Dayton on Wednesday night, marking a unique outdoor exhibition win at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in the CareSource Invitational. This wasn’t just some run-of-the-mill scrimmage; the Musketeers played with a level of toughness and physicality that was sorely missing last season, sending a clear message before the regular season even kicks off.
Xavier’s Depth and Newfound Grit Shines Through
Last year, Xavier found itself trying to hold the panic button after a preseason exhibition loss, a complete contrast to the confident performance we just witnessed. Head coach Richard Pitino made it clear he won’t let his squad overreact to this positive result, but let’s be real, it’s a massive confidence booster with the regular season less than a month away. Remember those brutal road struggles last season? The Musketeers only managed three wins away from home, including an agonizing 81-day stretch of losses outside Cintas Center before their Big East Tournament first-round victory. This win against a former Atlantic-10 rival showcased exactly the kind of grit they desperately needed. Pitino wasn’t kidding when he said this year’s team might boast the “most depth” he’s seen in his 15 seasons as a head coach. That depth was absolutely on display, with 11 different Musketeers hitting the court and eight of them logging double-digit minutes.
Nwoko Dominates the Paint, Dominguez Hits Clutch Shots
While the final score shows Xavier never trailed, Mike Nwoko’s night was nothing short of a rollercoaster. The big man was a force inside, leading the Musketeers with a monster 19-point, 11-rebound double-double. But here’s the kicker: he racked up NINE fouls! Thank goodness it was an exhibition game, because he would’ve been riding the pine long before the final buzzer. Fellow team captain Jovan Milicevic, Xavier’s top returner and Nwoko’s former high school teammate, added 13 points to the board. Sharpshooter Ruben Dominguez showed off his range, draining four shots from deep and finishing with 15 points, including a crucial connection from the wing that stretched Xavier’s lead back to four when Dayton cut it to 64-63. Miami transfer Tru Washington dropped 14 points, and Gabriel Pozzato made a solid debut after missing all of last season, contributing five points and two steals in 14 minutes. Chance Westry also benefited from the exhibition’s foul rules, picking up seven himself. Despite Dayton’s fiery second half, where they started 9-for-9 and shot over 90 percent for a good chunk of it, Xavier held strong, especially on the glass with a 31-26 advantage. Yeah, there were 47 combined fouls and 65 free throw attempts, making for a bit of a chaotic game, but sometimes you gotta grind it out.
With the regular season now just weeks away, this Xavier team just put the league on notice. This win doesn’t hit the record books, but it sure as heck counts for momentum, proving they’ve got the depth and the drive to overcome last season’s road woes. The Musketeers are coming!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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