Xavier vs. Marquette: A Big East Battle for the Ages!

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is one of the most highly anticipated events in sports, with millions of fans tuning in each year to watch their favorite teams battle it out for the championship. For the city of Cincinnati, there's no bigger rivalry than the one between Xavier University and Marquette University. These two Big East powerhouses have been duking it out on the hardwood for decades, with each game often determining the course of the season. In this article, we'll dive into the history of the Xavier-Mucaa rivalry, explore the strengths and weaknesses of each team, and make a case for why their matchup in the NCAA Tournament is a battle for the ages.

Xavier and Marquette have a rich history in college basketball, with both programs boasting a long list of accomplished coaches and players. Xavier's head coach, Sean Miller, has led the Musketeers to two Final Four appearances in the past decade, while Marquette's Shaka Smart has taken the Golden Eagles to the Big East Tournament championship game in consecutive seasons. Despite their success on the court, the rivalry between Xavier and Marquette is more than just a clash of styles or coaching philosophies – it's a cultural and geographical one.

Located just across the river from each other, Xavier and Marquette have been competing for bragging rights in the Cincinnati market for over a century. The two schools have a long history of rivalries with other Big East teams, but their matchups against each other are always the most highly anticipated and closely watched. Whether it's a Thursday night showdown in Cincinnati or a Sunday afternoon game in Milwaukee, the Xavier-Mucaa rivalry is always a battle to remember.

History of the Rivalry

The rivalry between Xavier and Marquette began in 1906, when both schools were still in their early years of competition. Since then, the two teams have played each other over 200 times, with Xavier holding a slight edge in the all-time series (105-95). However, the rivalry has only intensified in recent years, with both teams enjoying significant success on the court.

20th Century Rivalry

In the early 20th century, Xavier and Marquette were two of the dominant teams in the Cincinnati area, with both schools boasting talented squads and charismatic coaches. Xavier's head coach, Leo Doak, led the Musketeers to two NCAA Tournament appearances in the 1950s, while Marquette's Al McGuire took the Golden Eagles to the NCAA Championship game in 1977. The rivalry between the two schools was marked by intense competition and close games, with both teams consistently producing high-quality basketball.

Modern Era Rivalry

In the modern era, the rivalry between Xavier and Marquette has only grown more intense. Both teams have become powerhouses in the Big East, with Xavier consistently ranking among the top 10 teams in the country and Marquette frequently reaching the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. The rivalry has also been fueled by the success of individual players, including Xavier's Trent Ross and Tyrolle Simpson, and Marquette's Markus Howard and Sam Hauser.

2019 NCAA Tournament

One of the most memorable matchups in the Xavier-Mucaa rivalry was the 2019 NCAA Tournament, when the two teams met in the Sweet 16. The game was played at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, with Marquette emerging victorious in a 67-58 win. The game was marked by a defensive struggle, with both teams limited to less than 40% shooting from the field. However, Marquette's Howard outdueled Xavier's Ross, scoring 24 points on 9-15 shooting to lead the Golden Eagles to victory.

Coaches and Players

Xavier and Marquette have both enjoyed success under their current head coaches. Sean Miller has led the Musketeers to two Final Four appearances, while Shaka Smart has taken the Golden Eagles to the Big East Tournament championship game in consecutive seasons. Both coaches have also produced a number of talented players, including Xavier's Dyson Daniels and Marquette's Markus Howard.

Xavier Coaches

• Sean Miller (2010-present): Miller has been Xavier's head coach since 2010, leading the Musketeers to two Final Four appearances and a number of Big East Tournament championships.
• Skip Prosser (2007-2010): Prosser was Xavier's head coach for four seasons before departing for the University of Washington.
• Gary Waters (1995-2007): Waters was Xavier's head coach for 12 seasons, leading the Musketeers to two NCAA Tournament appearances and a Big East Tournament championship.

Marquette Coaches

• Shaka Smart (2014-present): Smart has been Marquette's head coach since 2014, leading the Golden Eagles to two Big East Tournament championship game appearances.
• Steve Hawkins (2007-2014): Hawkins was Marquette's head coach for seven seasons before departing for Loyola Marymount.
• Tom Crean (1999-2007): Crean was Marquette's head coach for eight seasons, leading the Golden Eagles to two NCAA Tournament appearances and a Big East Tournament championship.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Both Xavier and Marquette have their strengths and weaknesses, which will be crucial in determining the outcome of their matchup in the NCAA Tournament.

Xavier Strengths

• athleticism: Xavier has consistently produced some of the most athletic players in the country, with the ability to dominate the paint and create matchup problems for opposing teams.
• depth: The Musketeers have a deep roster with multiple players who can contribute to the team's success.
• rebounding: Xavier has historically been one of the best rebounding teams in the country, with a strong presence in the paint and on the glass.

Xavier Weaknesses

• perimeter defense: Xavier