But hope springs eternal with the start of a new season. In the NIL and transfer portal world, roster overhauls can be swift. Xavier, like many other teams across the country, reloaded in a hurry and now have NCAA Tournament aspirations just seven-plus months removed from having the program's fewest wins (15) in a full season in 30 years.
After a busy offseason and a 3-0 record in October exhibitions, Xavier opens the second year of the Richard Pitino era with high expectations on Monday, Nov. 2 when Mount St. Mary's visits Cintas Center.
Xavier men's basketball has won 36 consecutive regular-season openers
You have to go back nearly four decades to find the last time Xavier failed to start the year 1-0. In the 1989-90 season opener, Xavier was upset by Southern Utah, 97-90, in front of a stunned Cincinnati Gardens crowd.
Cincinnati Gardens would be in high spirits one day later, when the B-52s brought their new hit "Love Shack" to town and Pete Gillen's Musketeers recovered nicely, going 28-5 and making the program's first Sweet 16 appearance.
Coincidentally, Xavier's 36-year streak started against Mount St. Mary's in the 1990-1991 opener in the only previous meeting between the two schools.
Xavier has won those 36 contests by an average of 24.4 points, but there have been some close calls over the years. Seven of those games were decided by single digits, including a trio of three-point wins over Western Michigan (2010), Lehigh (2016) and Niagara (2021).
Last year, Xavier was a 13-point favorite, led by as many as 20 but trailed with less than two minutes remaining before holding off Marist, 66-62, in Pitino's debut.
Keys to a Xavier Musketeers win over Mount St. Mary's
1. Use Kent State scare as a learning experience
In its final exhibition game, Xavier avoided an upset to Kent State by pulling out a 76-70 win. Pitino said Xavier played "selfish basketball" and added that now his team knows how bad it can look "when we don't play the right way."
Wherever that selfishness shows up, it must be eliminated on Monday as this game counts. If it's on defense, that means Xavier must focus on the rebounding battle after losing on the boards (42-37) against Kent State. Mount St. Mary's ranked No. 2 in the Metro Conference last season in rebounding. If it's on offense, that means spreading the wealth against a team that was No. 1 in the Metro in opposing field goal percentage (39.6%) last year.
2. Xavier must get off to fast start
The best way to break an underdog's spirit early is by setting the tone. Xavier needs to do that as a big favorite against the Mountaineers.
Sometimes, there are understandable Opening Night jitters, especially for a new team trying to gel. But Xavier has three exhibition games under their belt and has enough camaraderie to step on the gas early.
3. Xavier's defense needs to create transition opportunities
The best way for Xavier to play loose on Opening Night is with high percentage shots created in transition. Xavier forced 45 turnovers (15 per game) in the preseason and will face a Mount St. Mary's team that was the second-worst team (No. 364) in the country in turnover percentage last season (No. 356 in 2025).
Xavier's defensive disruption should lead to turnovers and fast-break opportunities where the Musketeers' athleticism can take over.
Xavier Musketeers vs. Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers time, TV, radio
Tip: 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 2 at Cintas Center (10,224)
TV/Radio: ESPN+/WKRC
Ratings: Xavier is No. 58 in KenPom to start the year. Mount St. Mary's is No. 295.
History: Xavier won the only meeting, 103-96, at Cincinnati Gardens in 1990.
Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers scouting report
Record: 15-17 last season
Head coach: Donny Lind (38-30 at MSM, third season)
Offense: 68.1 PPG last season
Defense: 70.1 PPG last season
Mount St. Mary's beat Navy, 66-59, in an exhibition Oct. 28. The Mountaineers had more made free throws (20) than field goals (19) but won 34-29 on the glass and forced 15 turnovers. Third-year guard Abdou Khadre Kebe led Mount St. Mary's with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Forward Wilguens Jr. Exacte had a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Projected starting lineup
(Position, Height, Stats)
Redd Thompson Jr. (G, 5'11", 10.3 PPG last season at Longwood)
Cade Orness (G, 6'4", 0.4 PPG last season at Gonzaga)
Abdou Khadre Kebe (G, 6'7", 7.7 PPG last season at MSM)
Wilguens Jr. Exacte (F, 6'6", 7.3 PPG last season at Drake)
Noah Limol (F, 6'8", freshman)
Xavier Musketeers scouting report
Record: 15-18 last season
Head coach: Richard Pitino (15-18 at Xavier, second season)
Offense: 78.4 PPG last season
Defense: 80.6 PPG last season
Projected starting lineup
(Position, Height, Stats)
Tru Washington (G, 6'4", 11.9 PPG last season at Miami)
Ruben Dominguez (G, 6'6", 10.2 PPG last season at Texas A&M)
Filip Borovicanin (F, 6'9", 10.8 PPG last season at Xavier)
Jovan Milicevic (F, 6'10", 12.4 PPG last season at Xavier)
Mike Nwoko (C, 6'10", 13.4 PPG last season at LSU)
Xavier vs. Mount St. Mary's final score prediction
Riding high off its road exhibition win over Tennessee, Kent State gave the Musketeers the wake-up call it needed heading into the regular season. Xavier makes it 37 consecutive season openers in a row: Xavier 84, Mount St. Mary's 64
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Keys to a Xavier Musketeers win over Mount St. Mary's in season opener