'Connected' Xavier opens Big East slate against struggling Creighton

Winners of five straight games, Xavier now turns its attention to Big East play beginning Wednesday night when it welcomes Creighton to Cincinnati.

It's the Big East opener for both teams, and Xavier (8-3) is looking to continue its winning ways with victories in six of its last seven.

Tre Carroll has been the Musketeers' engine this season, leading the team with 16.9 points per game and shooting 39.6% from beyond the arc.

Xavier averages a Big East-leading 18.9 assists per game and is second in the Big East in shooting 37.1% from beyond the arc.

"I would just say we're a really connected group right now," backup guard Ian Sabourin said. "We just have a really connected group, and we're starting to play like it. It's becoming a recurring theme for us that we just share the ball really well, and we don't turn it over. And I think it just starts with the connectedness we have as a team."

Following a 2-2 start, Xavier has found a winning groove over the last month. Its only loss since was a one-point loss at Georgia on a neutral floor.

Creighton (5-5) struggled in nonconference play on a much greater level than Xavier. The Bluejays were blown out by Gonzaga, dropped Players Era tournament matchups against Baylor and Iowa State and now have lost two straight to Nebraska and Kansas State.

Normally one of the country's most efficient offensive teams, the Bluejays are only averaging 74.6 points per game and shooting 44.2% from the field. Defensively, Creighton is allowing 72.6 points per game and 43.9% shooting overall.

Josh Dix (12.3 points per game) is Creighton's leading scorer and only player averaging double-digit points per game.

"I'm responsible for the product," head coach Greg McDermott said. "It's my job to put (the players) in position to be successful. If that's not happening, there has to be a lot of reflection on their part but also for my perspective."

--Field Level Media