Xavier Musketeers Flex Offensive Firepower in Preseason Triumph Over Dayton Flyers

In a preseason exhibition matchup, the Xavier Musketeers showcased their offensive prowess, cruising to a dominant 98-74 victory over the Dayton Flyers. Despite the game not counting towards their regular-season record, the Musketeers' performance served as a confidence-boosting display, highlighting the depth and versatility of this year's squad.

Musketeers Unleash Offensive Onslaught, Leaving Dayton in the Dust

Freemantle and Foster Lead the Charge

Playing in his first game in 631 days, Xavier forward Zach Freemantle anchored the Musketeers' offense, burying a pair of 3-pointers and tying a team-high with 15 points. Freemantle's performance was complemented by the efforts of Marcus Foster, who also scored 15 points. The Musketeers' depth was on full display, as seven other players joined Freemantle and Foster in double figures, including Dante Maddox Jr. (12 points), Trey Green (12 points), Dayvion McKnight (11 points), Ryan Conwell (11 points), Jerome Hunter (10 points), and Dailyn Swain (10 points)."We know the strength is in our depth," Foster said. "We probably have 10 guys who could possibly start and 10 guys that can score in double figures on any night. That's the power of it. That's why I was able to get good, clean looks and drives because each player had gravity."

Musketeers Dominate the Offensive Glass and Beyond the Arc

The Musketeers' offensive onslaught was fueled by their efficiency from the field, as they shot an impressive 59.3% and knocked down 12 of their 26 attempts from beyond the arc. Additionally, Xavier's relentless pursuit of the offensive glass resulted in 15 second-chance points off 12 offensive rebounds.Dayton, a team known for its defensive prowess, struggled to contain the Musketeers' offensive firepower. The Flyers had not allowed 90-plus points at home since December 2018, but the Musketeers' offensive display proved too much to handle.

Musketeers Prepare for Hostile Environments Ahead

The Musketeers' victory over Dayton served as a valuable learning experience, as they prepare to face several challenging road environments throughout the season. Under head coach Anthony Grant, Dayton has been dominant at home, boasting a 92-17 record over the past seven seasons."A lot of scenarios coming up, going through this event, playing this type of game, will benefit our team," Xavier head coach Sean Miller said. "At this time of year, there's a lot of ways to grow. You can be structured in practice and build your system, but you have to be able to play 5-on-5 with a crowd and referees."Before the Musketeers even begin their Big East conference schedule, they will face tough road tests against TCU in the Big East-Big 12 battle and their crosstown rivals, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Additionally, they will open their Big East campaign on the road against the two-time defending national champion, the UConn Huskies.

Musketeers Adapt to Frontcourt Challenges

The Musketeers faced a setback when Long Beach State transfer Lassina Traore suffered a season-ending knee injury on October 9th. However, head coach Sean Miller demonstrated his ability to adapt, as he experimented with various lineups and rotations to find the right combination in the frontcourt.Miller utilized a mix of big and small lineups, pairing John Hugley and Freemantle together, as well as deploying smaller lineups with Foster and Swain. The Musketeers' depth proved to be a valuable asset, as nine different players saw regular minutes in the matchup, with the bench outscoring Dayton's reserves 36-25."We're still trying to find something (in the frontcourt). I wanted to put Lassina Traore in," Miller joked. "We had things pretty solid in terms of size and physicality. With Jerome and Zach, we have great experience, with John (Hugley) we have great experience."

Musketeers Weather the Storm and Pull Away

Despite their dominant start, the Musketeers faced some adversity in the second half, as Dayton mounted a comeback attempt. The Flyers went on a 9-2 run early in the second half to pull within 15 points, but the Musketeers responded with timely 3-pointers to regain control of the game.Dayton continued to chip away at the lead, cutting it to 72-58 with under 10 minutes to play, but the Musketeers answered with a 15-5 run to pull away and secure the victory.One area of concern for the Musketeers was their foul trouble in the second half, as they committed 16 fouls, leading to Dayton going 17-of-22 from the free-throw line. Head coach Sean Miller acknowledged the need for improved conditioning, discipline, and the ability to play more than 24 minutes without foul trouble."It (fouls) shows conditioning, discipline and you have to be able to play more than 24 minutes," Miller said.Overall, the Musketeers' preseason victory over the Dayton Flyers served as a strong statement, showcasing their offensive firepower, depth, and resilience. As they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead, the Musketeers have demonstrated that they possess the tools to compete at the highest level and make a deep run in the upcoming season.