Xavier edges Illinois in "secret" scrimmage

Everything you are about to read comes with the massive disclaimer that it happened in a closed scrimmage. Coaches can manipulate the clock, change the situation, and run scenarios to see how their teams react. From what I've gathered, Xavier and Illinois played pretty straight up, but take the below with a grain of salt.

Xavier won by something in the order of ten or twelve, but I've heard they were the better team the whole way. Trevon Bluiett led the way for Xavier with 18, unless it was 15.

Malcom Hill dropped 20 for Illinois. This in and of itself isn't alarming, as Hill was a good scorer as a sophomore and has likely gotten better over the summer. I would like to know who he got them on; he's a 6'6" wing who can shoot it pretty well. He's the kind of player who is just a hair big for Remy to guard and too quick for James or Jalen. Either Trevon or JP is going to have to guard players like that this year; here's hoping they don't all drop 20.

All in all, this is a good result for X. Illinois is the kind of team that Xavier is going to have to beat on a neutral court to advance if the Muskies are where we want them to be in March. Doing it today in Indy doesn't prove anything, but it's better than having not done.

Xavier is back in action on the 7th with their official exhibition game against Northwood. The season is just around the corner.