By Spencer Tracy, Staff Writer

Coming off a promising three-game win streak, Xavier basketball dropped a rough two-game road trip to Creighton and University of Connecticut this week. A game winning dunk by Xavier forward Dailyn Swain erupted Cintas Center, but it wasn’t enough momentum to turn the season around after a nail-biting loss to Creighton and a forgettable loss to UConn.  

Headed into Omaha playing their best basketball of the season, Xavier had Associated Press’ No. 17 team Creighton on upset watch. A seesaw of a first half was all the Musketeers could ask for playing the underdog last Tuesday night. Perfect from the free throw line and 46% shooting from the field was a good start, but it didn’t match Creighton’s 51%. A slow start for Crieghton from the 3-point line kept Xavier within striking distance; however with the offensive weapons the Blue Jays have, it was only a matter of time before they got hot. 

Right on cue, Crieghton forward Trey Alexander splashes one from behind the arc to open the second half. The first of eight to fall in the half forcing the Musketeers to counter with new fan favorite senior guard Quincy Olivari, to hit some of his own. However, neither Olivari nor freshman floor general Trey Green were making it rain from three in Omaha, but senior guard Dayvion McKnight, sunk four of his five attempts, finishing with 20 points. 

Neck and neck headed into the final two minutes, the Muskies only trailed 74-76, bringing hope to Xavier Nation from afar. However, back-to-back missed jumpers by sophomore guard Desmond Claude opened the door for  Alexander and senior wing Baylor Scheierman. Desperate to switch the momentum at the CHI Health Center, the clutch factor wasn’t activated as Xavier went on to drop a crushing loss to the Blue Jays, 85-78. 

The loss to Creighton on the road was frustrating but competing with a team who appeared in the Elite 8 last year and three of their five starters returning, hope was still in the air facing the number one team in the nation. This hope did not last long.  

On Sunday, the defending NCAA champs and current top-ranked Associated Press team, opened on a 38-7 run.Xavier players were shooting at a hoop with a lid while watching UConn forward Donovan Clingan put together a dunk show.  

What I could only imagine, a whiteboard replete with halftime adjustments as Sean Miller and his team headed into the lockeroom down 48-22. A 26-point deficit at half is a tall task to ask from any team in the country. But on the road, against the best team in the country, is near impossible when there’s a 34% gap in shooting percentage.  

Adjustments were made offensively presenting more fight, but the number three scoring offense in the country didn’t take their foot off the gas. A 51-point second half was the nail in the coffin for the musketeers, if it hadn’t been hit already. To put it simply enough, it was UConn’s day Sunday afternoon. 17 three pointers, 28 points off turnovers and holding Xavier to just 34% shooting is a textbook blowout. 

Looking forward, Xavier hosts St. Johns, coached by legend Rick Pitino tonight in hopes of splitting the season series after losing on the road  at Carnasseca Arena on Dec 15th. The Musketeers won both of their outings against the Red Storm last season.