The Xavier University men’s basketball team was able to right a lot of wrongs in its best performance of the young season Nov. 18.
The Musketeers turned in a stellar 40-minute effort, highlighted by superb shooting, selfless passing and hard-nosed defense in a 99-69 victory over Old Dominion.
“We played great basketball today,” Xavier head coach Richard Pitino said.
Xavier now has a chance to build it with a step up in competition when the Musketeers open the 2025 Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic against the Georgia Bulldogs on Nov. 21.
Xavier will play either Clemson (4-1) or West Virginia (5-0) in the final round of the event on Nov. 23.
“We have two amazing opportunities,” Pitino said. “The biggest message for these guys, especially when you’re starting from scratch like we are, it’s just to stack days.”
Xavier Musketeers vs. Georgia Bulldogs
Tipoff: 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, at TD Arena (5,100)
TV/Radio: ESPN2/WKRC-AM (550)
Ratings: Xavier is No. 105 in KenPom and Georgia is No. 33.
History: Xavier is 3-2 all-time against Georgia, though the Bulldogs ended the Musketeers season in the 2024 NIT in the last meeting.
In its only previous appearance in the Charleston Classic, Xavier reached the tournament’s title game in 2019 after beating Towson and UConn. Travis Steele’s Musketeers fell to Florida, 70-65, in the finals.
Scouting Reports Georgia Bulldogs
Record: 5-0
Head coach: Mike White (61-46 at Georgia, fourth season)
Offense: 99.4 ppg
Defense: 62.6 ppg
Overview: White’s rebuild at Georgia included a run to the NIT semifinals, followed by a second-straight 20-win season in 2025 and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 10 years.
Georgia reloaded with a top 30 incoming Class of 2026, highlighted by a pair of four-star freshmen, and a five-player transfer portal class which ranked No. 34 in the nation.
The high-flying Bulldogs have cruised in their four buy games thus far in addition to a power conference victory over Georgia Tech (92-87).
While playing at a top-10 tempo in college basketball, Georgia ranks No. 7 in the nation in scoring at 99.4 points per game, though they’ve played the fourth-easiest non-conference schedule thus far, according to KenPom.
Three transfers in the starting lineup include leading scorer Jeremiah Wilkinson (previously at California), who is averaging 15.6 points per game. Fellow guard Blue Cain adds 15 per night and is in his third season with the Bulldogs. He scored five points in 22 minutes against Xavier in the 2024 NIT.
Projected lineup
(Pos., Height, Stats)
Jeremiah Wilkinson (G, 6’1″, 15.6 ppg)
Jordan Ross (G, 6’1″, 7.2 ppg)
Blue Cain (G, 6’5″, 15 ppg)
Kanon Catchings (F, 6’9″, 9.2 ppg)
Somtochukwu Cyril (C, 6’11”, 8.4 ppg)
Xavier Musketeers
Record: 3-2
Head coach: Richard Pitino (3-2 at Xavier, first season)
Offense: 73.8 ppg
Defense: 73.6 ppg
Projected lineup
(Pos., Height, Stats)
All Wright (G, 6’3″, 9.4 ppg)
Malik Messina-Moore (G, 6’5″, 8.6 ppg)
Tre Carroll (F, 6’8″, 15 ppg)
Filip Borovicanin (F, 6’9″, 7.2 ppg)
Jovan Milicevic (F, 6’10”, 11.2 ppg)
Players to watch
Jovan Milicevic
Pitino and his staff have tinkered with their lineup several times this season. The most notable change was inserting Milicevic at center.
The 6-foot-10 forward has been able to stretch defenses by stepping outside, pouring in 35 points on 12-of-26 shooting with six 3-pointers over the last two games.
“Being able to shoot the ball well at my size helps me a lot, being able to play inside and outside,” Milicevic said after his 20-point outing vs. Old Dominion.
Malik Messina-Moore
Messina-Moore was Xavier’s leading scorer over its 2-0 start but has struggled of late. Lost in the Musketeers’ offensive showcase against Old Dominion was Messina-Moore finishing 0-for-7 shooting.
Messina-Moore did have seven rebounds and eight assists. However, he’s a vital piece to Xavier’s puzzle moving forward and is just 2-of-13 shooting from the field over the last three games.
“I’m not really worried about it,” Pitino said. “I’m worried when he doesn’t shoot the ball. At least he shot the ball. I thought he played a really good game. Every time he shoots I think it’s gonna go in. He’s got the green light with me and he’s a very talented player.”
Jake Wilkins
Georgia has been the “Dunkyard Dawgs” so far this season in a nickname that explains itself.
Wilkins, the son of Georgia standout, two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion and NBA Hall-of-Famer Dominique Wilkins, is dunking like dad while coming off the bench.
Keys to a Xavier victory over Georgia
Can Xavier keep Georgia away from the rim?
Considering Xavier’s struggles defending the rim, containing Georgia will be a tall task. The Bulldogs average 48.4 points in the paint per game and 49.6% of their points this season have come from inside the arc, the 13th-highest rate in the nation.
Does Xavier sacrifice on the offensive end and match Georgia’s size and depth? You could see more of 7-foot center Pape N’Diaye and Anthony Robinson in this matchup. Xavier will need its best defensive effort in trying to keep Georgia from wrecking this game down low.
Xavier will have to force the Bulldogs to settle on the perimeter. Georgia is shooting just 26.1% from downtown this season.
Xavier needs to let it fly against Georgia
With its small-ball lineup, Xavier hit 16 three-pointers against Old Dominion, which is tied for second-most in school history. Georgia has been a top-10 defense in defending inside the arc. Can Xavier hang around with the long ball?
It’s important Xavier gets those chances by protecting the rock. Georgia is No. 2 in the nation in turnover percentage thus far and leads the country in fast-break points per game. Georgia has a few ways to turn this matchup one-sided in a hurry, and Xavier will need answers in its toughest test of the season.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Scouting report, keys to victory as Xavier Musketeers open Charleston Classic vs. Georgia
Reporting by Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
