It's a brutal reality check for any team, but this exhibition loss might just be the spark that ignites a winning season. Dive into the Xavier Musketeers' heart-stopping defeat against Murray State, and discover the valuable lessons hidden within. But here's where it gets intriguing—could this early stumble reveal strengths or expose weaknesses that redefine their path? Let's unpack it all, step by step, so even newcomers to college basketball can follow along easily.
No college basketball squad, especially one with zero returning minutes and 11 fresh faces, should expect peak performance by mid-October. That became painfully clear on October 18, when Xavier, under first-year head coach Richard Pitino, fell to Murray State in a non-conference exhibition at Cintas Center by a score of 75-70. For context, exhibition games like this are preseason warm-ups—they don't count toward official standings but help teams gel, test strategies, and build chemistry without the pressure of real wins or losses.
Xavier battled back from a seven-point halftime deficit, even narrowing a 13-point gap in the second half to force a late tie. Yet, Murray State clinched it with nine free throws in the final 1:16. Pitino, in his post-game reflections, emphasized perspective: 'The game doesn't count. I had to remind the guys. The season starts Nov. 3. There's a lot to learn from it and what we need to work on.' He added a nod to modern scrutiny, saying he told the team in the locker room, 'besides this new world of being clowned on the internet when you lose, the game doesn't count.'
Now, let's explore the key insights from Xavier's preparation for their regular-season debut. And this is the part most people miss—how a comeback attempt, though unsuccessful, can highlight a team's resilience and potential.
In the second half, Xavier's guards Tre Carroll and Malik Messina-Moore ignited the offense during their rally. Carroll, a transfer from Florida Atlantic, topped the Musketeers with 21 points, while Messina-Moore, coming from Montana, drained Xavier's inaugural 3-pointer with 18:08 to go. Carroll racked up 15 points in the second frame alone and knotted the score at 64-64 with just 1:14 left. The teams exchanged free throws in the closing minute, but back-to-back turnovers under five seconds doomed Xavier's chance at a tying shot. Carroll commented on the officiating: 'Both teams were in the bonus by the 7-minute mark in the first half. So, obviously the fouls were being called. Coach's emphasis was just to get downhill more so that's what we did as a group.'
Four Xavier starters reached double figures, with Roddie Anderson III, Messina-Moore, and Filip Borovicanin each netting 12 points, though they combined for a modest 11-of-37 from the field. For beginners, 'double figures' simply means scoring 10 or more points, a solid benchmark in basketball stats.
Early struggles plagued Xavier's offense against Murray State. They lacked a consistent scorer in the first half, shooting just 9-of-32 (28.1%) from the field. No points came from beyond the paint or at the free-throw line in those opening 20 minutes, totaling 16 from inside and 8-of-12 at the line. Xavier went 0-for-6 from 3-point range, turned the ball over seven times, and trailed 33-26 at halftime. They finished 2-of-15 from deep but surged back partly due to Murray State's fouls, converting 24-of-31 free throws. Messina-Moore reflected: 'It's a new group and this was an exhibition game. So we're still getting to know each other. As time goes, we're gonna get more comradery and be a lot better.' This highlights how team-building takes time, especially with so many transfers—think of it like assembling a new puzzle where pieces need to fit just right.
Pitino's rotation shone through in the exhibition against Murray State. He rotated eight different Musketeers for at least eight minutes in the first half, partly to spark the stagnant offense but also to navigate foul trouble. Murray State hit the bonus early, meaning fouls led to quick free-throw opportunities. Overall, the eight-man rotation included three bench players with double-digit minutes: Guard All Wright, center Pape N’Diaye, and Jovan Milicevic, who amassed eight points on 3-of-11 shooting.
Xavier's defense faltered after a promising beginning. Both sides shot poorly at first, but Murray State heated up. Xavier led 19-12 after a fast-break dunk by Robinson, but Murray State capped the half with a 21-7 burst over the last 8:36, flipping a deficit into a lead. Murray State went 7-of-30 from deep, but shooter Brayden Shorter exploited it with five 3s. Xavier capitalized on 13 Murray State turnovers for 17 points. Pitino urged improvement: 'We gotta get more deflections, we've gotta get more steals. We only had two blocked shots. We gotta be better there.'
Murray State's first-year coach Ryan Miller, formerly a top assistant at Creighton, infused the team with Greg McDermott’s 'Let it Fly' philosophy, encouraging aggressive outside shooting. Yet, it wasn't just threes that mattered—big man Fred King, a former Creighton player, delivered a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Guard KJ Tenner shone late, making 8-of-8 free throws, including six in the final minute.
Xavier's Anthony Robinson, a 6-foot-10 center from Virginia, made a significant early impact. Starting at center, he dominated on both ends, especially rebounding, helping generate nine second-chance points. His powerful dunks energized the team, but foul trouble limited him to seven scoreless minutes in the second half before fouling out with 3:11 remaining.
But here's where it gets controversial—some fans argue exhibition games like this are pointless distractions, merely exposing weaknesses to rivals without real stakes. Others say they're essential for development, allowing coaches to experiment with rotations and strategies. Pitino's approach of rotating players might spark debate: Is it wise to give everyone minutes early, risking fatigue, or does it build depth for a long season? And what about the online mockery he mentioned—is social media turning casual fan banter into undue pressure on young athletes? Do you believe these tune-ups are underestimated tools for success, or do they just fuel unnecessary drama? Share your opinions in the comments—do you agree with Pitino's laid-back take, or think teams should treat them more seriously? Let's discuss!
