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Xavier v. Providence: Live Chat and Viewers Guide

By Bryan D
Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

The essentials
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Cintas Center
TV: FOX Sports 1
TWC 317
DirecTV 219
DISH 150
Cincinnati Bell 58/506(HD)
Radio feed: 700 WLW

Xavier Musketeers (14-9, 5-6)

v.

Providence Friars (17-6, 7-3)

Three keys:
-Defend the glass. Second-chance points killed Xavier against Creighton, and Providence is the second-best offensive rebounding team in the league. Xavier has to do a better job of end possessions with defensive rebounding on Saturday, because Providence will feast on easy buckets if they don't.

-Come out ready. The Muskies have a nasty habit of falling behind early only to have to battle back into games. While that makes for an inspiring story, it also leaves legs dead and players drained for the final four minutes. Opening with an early run would get the Cintas Center crowd into the game and spare Xavier the effort of having to claw back into it against a very good opponent.

-Pound it inside. Last time these teams played, Jalen and Matt both had double-doubles. Carson Desrosiers can defend, but presumably only one of them at a time. If Xavier can defend well enough on the other end to run a double-post offense, there should be plenty of touches to go around on the inside.