Xavier Musketeers vs Morgan State Bears Picks and Predictions December 10th 2024

Xavier Looks to Rebound Before Facing Rival Cincinnati

Xavier Musketeers are set to host Morgan State on Tuesday night in Cincinnati, looking to regain their footing after a challenging week. With the high-stakes crosstown rivalry against No. 22 Cincinnati looming, this matchup is crucial for Xavier to rediscover its form.

The Musketeers (7-2) were previously ranked No. 22 in the AP poll but dropped out following a crushing 25-point loss to Michigan during the Fort Myers Tip-Off tournament final on Nov. 27. Their struggles continued with a narrow 71-68 victory over South Carolina State and a 76-72 loss at TCU.

Challenges on the Bench and Maddox’s Breakout Effort

One bright spot for Xavier has been the performance of Toledo transfer Dante Maddox Jr., who stepped up against TCU with nine points and six rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench. However, the team has been waiting for a consistent impact from its bench, a perceived strength entering the season.

Head coach Sean Miller acknowledged this growing pain:
“You see the good in a lot of different guys. It’s not until you get 8 to 10, 10 to 15 games in when you truly understand how deep your team is.”

Maddox’s contributions included a clutch 3-pointer and a steal that led to a fastbreak, helping Xavier take a 60-54 lead with just over seven minutes left. Despite his efforts, the Musketeers faltered down the stretch and suffered their second loss in three games.

Currently, Maddox is averaging 4.7 points per game, while standout Ryan Conwell leads the team with 16.6 points per game.

Morgan State’s Struggles on the Road

Morgan State (5-7) enters Tuesday’s game after a 102-81 road loss to Bowling Green. Preseason All-MEAC First Team honoree Will Thomas led the Bears with 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Kameron Hobbs added 12 points off the bench, and Amahrie Simpkins chipped in with 11 points while going a perfect 5-for-5 from the field.

Wynston Tabbs, who leads Morgan State in scoring this season with an impressive 16.8 points per game, contributed 10 points, six rebounds, and six assists in the loss. Despite some individual successes, the Bears have struggled away from home, losing all five road games this season.

Check out the latest John Wooden Award Odds & Predictions for detailed analysis and updates.

The Importance of Tuesday’s Tune-Up

Tuesday’s game against Morgan State provides Xavier with a critical opportunity to regroup and address their vulnerabilities before facing No. 22 Cincinnati on Saturday. The annual crosstown showdown is one of the most intense rivalries in college basketball, and Xavier needs to build confidence and cohesion heading into that matchup.

Morgan State, on the other hand, will look to improve its road performance and challenge a talented Xavier team, hoping to build momentum in the process.