The NCAA Tournament is here! The First Four clash between the Xavier Musketeers and the Texas Longhorns is on March 19, 2025, with a matchup against the sixth-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini on the line. We’ve seen teams gain momentum by getting a win under their belt, so this matchup could be the catalyst for a deep tournament run. Let’s preview the matchup between these tournament veterans.
Xavier Vs. Texas 2025 NCAA Tournament Preview
- Date: Wednesday, March 19th
- Game Time: 9:10 PM EST
- Venue: UD Arena
- How to Watch (TV): truTV
- Xavier Record: 22-11
- Texas Record: 19-15
Xavier Musketeers, with a strong record of 21-11. This team has shown resilience throughout the season, and their efforts got them one of the last four spots in the tournament. The Musketeers have been particularly effective when playing with a lead, covering the spread in 18 out of 32 games this season. With key players like Zach Freemantle averaging 17.3 points per game and Ryan Conwell contributing 16.8 points per game, this team is poised to be difficult to stop on the offensive end of the floor.
On the flip side, the Texas Longhorns, with a 19-15 record, are no strangers to challenging dynamics. Known for punching above their weight, the Longhorns have covered the spread in nearly half of their games this season. Led by Tre Johnson’s impressive 19.8 points per game and Arthur Kaluma’s versatility on the court, the Longhorns are determined to prove their mettle against Xavier. This game may feel like a road game, given the location, which doesn’t help them. The Longhorns were one of the teams many thought did not deserve to be in, so they are eager to prove they belong.
Prediction
Xavier is slightly favored in this matchup for good reason. The Longhorns do have seven Quad 1 wins this year, but their 6-12 conference schedule and no. 287 nonconference schedule doesn’t give me the confidence they can beat a quality team. The Musketeers ended the season on a seven-game winning streak before losing in the conference tournament, meaning they are playing their best basketball of the season at the right time. Furthermore, they ranked in the top ten nationally in three-point percentage. If the shots are falling, they are hard to stop.
March Madness is upon us! The NCAA Tournament is one of the most exciting sports events of the year. Don’t let these First Four matchups pass you by. In the past few years, there have been some classics, getting the excitement for the tournament kicked off early. Furthermore, we’ve seen some of the First Four teams make a serious run in the tournament. Don’t discount the value of momentum.
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