Xavier is ranked 34th in the NCAA Daily RPI while Marquette rates 114th. The 15-9 Musketeers clearly are the superior team probably around a ninth seed if the NCAA Tournament were being seeded right now. Marquette has a losing record.




The key here is how Xavier will play on the road. In two of the Musketeers' last three road games they had good performances upsetting Georgetown and losing in overtime to Providence. Marquette has failed to cover in its last four home contests.




The Golden Eagles are a big effort team, but they could start to wear down with just seven scholarship players as life in the physical Big East takes a toll this late in the season. Marquette has a short bench and could be without leading scorer, senior guard Matt Carlino. He suffered a concussion six days ago against Villanova and missed the Golden Eagles' last game.




Carlino scored 27 points in the team's first meeting won by Xavier, 62-58. The Musketeers struggled with Marquette's pressure defense in that game scoring only 22 points in the first half. Look for Xavier to be better prepared now that they've faced the Golden Eagles and with something to prove being on the road. The Musketeers are riding a wave of confidence after a 78-69 win over Providence this past Saturday.




Marquette also is coming off a win, a road victory against Seton Hall on Saturday. Prior to that, however, the Golden Eagles had dropped six in a row.