Xavier found some momentum during non-conference play, going 8-3 with a win over Cincinnati in the Crosstown Shootout. Big East competition was a different story as Xavier went just 6-14 and finished tied for 10th in the conference.
One year later, Xavier is working with a bigger budget for its program and loaded up its roster in the transfer portal, getting deeper, bigger and more experienced, along with a few key returning pieces and incoming freshmen.
After going 3-0 in exhibition contests, there's optimism around Cintas Center with the start of the regular season coming up on Monday, Nov. 2.
Xavier basketball game-by-game predictions this season
Nov. 2 vs. Mount St. Mary's (No. 295 KenPom) − Win
Xavier won three exhibition contests in three different ways. The Musketeers use the wake-up call it received against Kent State to win its 37th consecutive regular-season opener.
Nov. 6 vs. Eastern Michigan (No. 175 KenPom) − Win
Xavier starts 2-0 for the 19th consecutive season.
Nov. 10 vs. Detroit Mercy (No. 291 KenPom) − Win
Xavier opens the season with three wins in three buy games.
Nov. 13 vs. Mississippi State (No. 69 KenPom) − Win
It's Xavier's first regular-season game away from Cintas Center, and the Musketeers hold off Mississippi State, which was picked to finish 15th in the 16-team SEC.
Nov. 17 vs. Cleveland State (No. 279 KenPom) − Win
Xavier returns home and beats up on one of the worst teams in the Horizon League.
Nov. 20 vs. Iowa (No. 43 KenPom) − Win
Wrapping up a home-and-home with Ben McCollum's Hawkeyes, Xavier gets its revenge from last year's 19-point loss in Iowa City. The Musketeers pull out a close win to improve to 6-0.
Nov. 25 vs. Texas A&M (No. 19 KenPom) − Loss
Xavier is handed its first loss of the season as Texas A&M's revamped roster, led by prolific scorer P.J. Haggerty, proves to be too much.
Nov. 27 vs. Viginia (No. 15 KenPom) − Loss
Xavier leaves The Bahamas 0-2 after a loss to Virginia, which is ranked No. 9 in the AP preseason Top 25 poll and returns a ton of production from last year's 30-win season.
Dec. 2 vs. Texas Southern (No. 333 KenPom) − Win
Xavier returns to Cintas Center and cruises against the worst team on its schedule.
Dec. 5 at Cincinnati (No. 31 KenPom) − Win
Since 1979, Mick Cronin is the only UC coach to win his Crosstown Shootout debut. Xavier gets a big victory in its only true road game of non-conference play.
Dec. 9 vs. Purdue Fort Wayne (No. 270 KenPom) − Win
Xavier starts slow coming off the win over the Bearcats, but the Muskies take care of business against another Horizon League opponent.
Dec. 12 vs. FIU (No. 192 KenPom) − Win
Xavier wraps up non-conference play at 10-2 after defeating FIU at Cintas Center.
Dec. 19 at Marquette (No. 34 KenPom) − Loss
Xavier loses its Big East opener for the fourth consecutive year in a battle of two much-improved teams from last season. Xavier falls to 1-7 all-time at Fiserv Forum.
Dec. 22 vs. Creighton (No. 34 KenPom) − Win
Xavier lost a December home game last year to Creighton by 41 points. It's a different story this year as the Musketeers get their first conference victory.
Dec. 30 at Georgetown (No. 75 KenPom) − Win
This time, history repeats itself. Just like last season, Xavier gets a December road win over Georgetown.
Jan. 2 vs. Seton Hall (No. 64 KenPom) − Win
Xavier opens 2027 with a win over a Seton Hall squad that should struggle once again. The Musketeers remain perfect at Cintas Center (10-0).
Jan. 6 vs. Villanova (No. 32 KenPom) − Loss
Xavier's first home loss comes courtesy of Kevin Willard's Villanova Wildcats, which went 9-3 on the road last season.
Jan. 9 at Providence (No. 39 KenPom) − Loss
Xavier has six Saturday road games in Big East play. They fall to Providence at a hostile Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Jan. 12 vs. Butler (No. 88 KenPom) − Win
After a two-game losing streak, Xavier returns home and beats a rebuilding Butler squad picked to finish last in the Big East.
Jan. 16 at UConn (No. 11 KenPom) − Loss
UConn is one of the top teams in the country. Beating the Huskies at Gampel Pavilion is too tall of a task.
Jan. 19 at Villanova (No. 32 KenPom) − Loss
Xavier falls to 1-9 all-time at Finneran Pavilion and 3-22 all-time on the road against Villanova as the Wildcats complete the season sweep of the Musketeers. Xavier drops under .500 in Big East play (4-5).
Jan. 23 vs. Marquette (No. 34 KenPom) − Win
Xavier starts a two-game homestand by splitting the regular-season series with Shaka Smart's Golden Eagles.
Jan. 26 vs. St. John's (No. 23 KenPom) − Win
Xavier played St. John's tough with a pair of five-point losses last year. The Musketeers clear that hurdle at Cintas Center as Richard Pitino gets a win over his father's Johnnies.
Jan. 30 at DePaul (No. 56 KenPom) − Loss
A letdown spot on the road following the big win over the ranked Red Storm, Xavier suffers a speedbump in Chicago and is back to .500 (6-6) in league play.
Feb. 6 at Butler (No. 88 KenPom) − Win
Butler once again offers a bounce-back spot for the Musketeers after a loss. Xavier prevails in a close game at Hinkle Fieldhouse for its second road win in league play.
Feb. 9 vs. Georgetown (No. 75 KenPom) − Win
Xavier sweeps Georgetown to climb to 8-6 in Big East play.
Feb. 13 at St. John's (No. 23 KenPom) − Loss
In a nationally televised matinee matchup at Madison Square Garden, St. John's earns the split against Xavier.
Feb. 20 vs. DePaul (No. 56 KenPom) − Win
Xavier earns a split against DePaul in the return matchup at Cintas Center.
Feb. 24 at Creighton (No. 30 KenPom) − Loss
First-year head coach Alan Huss has the Bluejays playing well near the end of the regular season. Xavier's road struggles continue as it falls to Creighton.
Feb. 28 at Seton Hall (No. 64 KenPom) − Win
In its final road game of the season, Xavier gets to double-digit conference wins.
March 3 vs. Providence (No. 39 KenPom) − Loss
In a mid-week matchup, Providence completes the sweep of Xavier as Bryan Hodgson's club adds to its NCAA Tournament resume.
March 6 vs. UConn (No. 11 KenPom) − Win
It's Senior Day Saturday at what should be an electric Cintas Center environment. Xavier feeds off the home crowd energy for the biggest win of the Pitino era.
Enquirer projection
Xavier goes 10-2 in non-conference play and fights to an 11-9 record in a tough Big East Conference. At 21-11 overall with a first-round bye in the Big East Tournament, Xavier is primed for an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Xavier Musketeers basketball game-by-game predictions for 2026-27