The focal point of Xavier's defense was obvious: try to contain the nation's leading scorer. Wildcats' forward Eric Dixon averages 25.3 points per game and Xavier frequently met the veteran forward with double teams near the rim to try to get the ball out of his hands.

For the second-straight game in a row, Villanova’s opponent pulled away in the closing minutes. Xavier’s Ryan Conwell dropped 34 points, including 13 of the Musketeers’ final 14 points of the game.