Xavier basketball looks to sustain momentum on Sunday against Norfolk State
Sunday is the final game of a four-game homestand to start the season for the Xavier Musketeers.
When Norfolk State (5-0) visits Cintas Center (12 p.m., Fox Sports 1) it will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs, and it's a game that presents an opportunity for Xavier (3-0) to roll its performance against Ohio State over to the next game and build some momentum heading into next week's NIT Season Tipoff at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
"We have to move on very, very quickly here, enjoy the moment but at the same time, we can't have any type of letdown here moving forward versus Norfolk State," said Xavier head coach Travis Steele in his pre-game press conference on Friday. "When we scheduled this game, I knew obviously coming off a big game like Ohio State in the Gavitt Games, people can look past a Norfolk State, but the reason we scheduled them was because they were in the NCAA Tournament last year. They beat (Appalachian) State in the play-in game and they lost to Gonzaga."
More: Inside the key moments that lifted Xavier basketball over No. 19 Ohio State
Norfolk State is very guard-oriented and they're led by senior guard Joe Bryant Jr.
"Joe can really score. He's tough as nails. He's a winner," said Steele. "So they're not going to be intimidated or scared coming in here."
Christian Ings is another steady option in the backcourt for the Spartans. Ings and Bryant average better than 30 points per game.
"They got very creative guards, they can score the ball and get to the paint, space you out," said Steele. "They're gonna spread you out, try to drive you, ball screen. He gives those guys a lot of freedom and they're talented."
Norfolk State has had turnovers issues to start the season. The Spartans are averaging 16.0 per game, so Xavier should look to be as disruptive as possible on the ball.
The Game
Tipoff: 12 p.m. on Sunday at Cintas Center
TV/Radio: FS1 with play-by-play from Adam Alexander and analysis from Nick Bahe. Byron Larkin and Joe Sunderman will have the radio call on WKRC-AM (550).
Series info: This is the first-ever meeting.
Scouting Report
Xavier Musketeers (3-0)
Coach: Travis Steele, fourth season (54-37 overall)
Offense: 69.0 ppg
Defense: 61.3 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Paul Scruggs (G, 6'5", 18.0 ppg)
Jerome Hunter (F, 6'8", 7.7 rpg)
Colby Jones (G, 6'6", 14.0 ppg)
Dieonte Miles (F, 6'11", 3.3 rpg)
Nate Johnson (G, 6'4", 6.7 ppg)
Norfolk State Spartans (4-0)
Coach: Robert Jones, ninth season (147-119 overall)
Offense: 87.4 ppg
Defense: 65.6 ppg
Projected lineup
Player (Position, Height, Key Stat)
Christian Ings (G, 6'2", 14.8 ppg)
Joe Bryant (G, 6'1", 17.4 ppg)
Daryl Anderson (G, 6'6", 5.2 ppg)
Kris Bankston (F, 6'8", 12.2 ppg)
Nyzaiah Chambers (F, 6'7", 5.8 ppg)
Players to watch
Joe Bryant Jr.
A 6-foot-1 senior guard, Bryant shoots 56% from the floor and leads the Spartans in scoring, assists and steals. Norfolk State has a dangerous backcourt that can score, so the Musketeers need to up for that challenge.
Colby Jones
It's starting to become more clear how important the sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama, is to the Musketeers. Jones is second on the team in minutes per game (33.3), second in points per game (14.0), and he leads the team in rebounding (8.3) as well as free throws made (12) and attempted (16).
Key to the game
A short memory
Xavier took care of business against Ohio State but the Musketeers have to bury that and move on. It's not time to rest or take it easy, it's time to roll a really good performance into the next one on Sunday against Norfolk State.
Rankings
KenPom.com: Xavier (32); Norfolk State (275).
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Big East basketball: Can Xavier build momentum against Norfolk State?
