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Some Things That Happened: 2/5

Xavier's next opponent drops a home game, the Muskies fall in Bracketologies and the RPI.

X really needs to stop this guy on Saturday.
X really needs to stop this guy on Saturday.
David Banks-US PRESSWIRE

St. John's tops Providence 86-76 | espn.com Recap

The Red Storm won at the Dunkin Donuts Center and dropped Providence to 6-4 in the conference. Depending on your perspective, either good defense or bad offense was the story, as the Friars shot 12-35 from inside the arc. Their 12-28 performance from deep couldn't compensate for that, and they'll come to Cintas with 3rd place in the Big East on the line. If Xavier can win on Saturday, they'll move to 6-4 in the conference and take a big step towards righting the ship.

In re: what needs to change for Xavier, my man Frank Kerley postulates that the Muskies are just reverting to the norm after playing above their heads for a stretch. I'm sincerely hoping that's not the case, but it's not an unreasonable fear to have. X needs one of - and ideally both of - Farr and Martin to be a consistent scoring threat.

The Stain Train owns up to not playing his trump card when comparing Cleveland to Cinci in the Google Hangout with him and Coach Mack yesterday.

Bracketology: Shakeup on the top line | SBN Bracketology
Ohio State finally gets a big win | CBS Bracketology

SBN's bracketologist Chris Dobbertean has Xavier as an 11 seed taking on Memphis, while Jerry Palm of CBS has the Muskies taking on VCU in the 8/9 game. Palm has X marked as "on the bubble," but Dobbertean believes they "have the talent to withstand [their] current struggles." Any further damage would have Xavier in Dayton or the NIT. Have I mentioned how big the game Saturday against fellow bubble resident Providence is?

Division I Men's Basketball RPI | ncaa.com

Much like presidential debates or being earnest, the RPI sucks but is still important because people believe it's important. Despite their recent struggles, X is still sitting 36th in the NCAA's official RPI. I hate that I'm grasping at that for comfort, but there it is.