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Xavier released their non-conference slate today, which makes the new season seem both right around the corner and an interminable amount of time away all at the same time. The Musketeers open at home on November 6th against Horizon League powerhouse (not actually, those don't exist) IUPUI. The Jaguars present the usual profile of a high major opener, which is to say they are really bad (here is hoping they don't have a maniacal, ETSU-style fanbase that reads this). Things promise to be a bit more interesting a week later when Wisconsin comes to town as part of the Gavitt Games, marking the third meeting in four years for the teams.
Two of the best teams by end of the year rankings on Xavier's pre-Big East slate are also the only two road games on the schedule. Xavier travels across town to play UC, who will be looking to reacclimate to actually playing in Cincinnati, on December 8th before taking a trek down I-70 to Missouri for a clash with the Tigers, who may well be completely Porter-less by then, ten days later. Xavier will hope to get a couple more cracks at resume wins in Maui when they head there November 19th-21st for the Maui Invitational, where the rest of the field consists of Duke, Arizona, Gonzaga, San Diego State, Auburn, Illinois and Iowa State.
November 6th is a mere 173 days away, Xavier Nation. Let the countdown begin.