Takeaways from Xavier's blowout loss to Crieghton in Big East opener

All the momentum Xavier had built with an 8-3 non-conference record this season seemed squandered in a lackluster performance Dec. 17.

Facing a Creighton team that was .500 (5-5) and had been blown out in its only two road games of the season, Xavier had no answer in Wednesday's Big East opener in a 98-57 loss at Cintas Center.

Xavier was trying to sweep a 5-game homestand and win its sixth straight overall. That went out the window in a hurry as Creighton dominated on both sides of the ball in the largest loss in Xavier history at Cintas Center.

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Creighton let's it fly, punishes Xavier's defense

Pitino had wanted Xavier to develop a "defensive confidence" heading into the 20-game Big East gauntlet.

Thriving on defense seems further away now after Creighton came to Cintas Center and did whatever it wanted to against Xavier's defense. In the first half, the Bluejays shot 58.1% from the field (18-of-31).

With 5:45 left in the first half, Creighton guard Austin Swartz's underhand alley-oop attempt was intended for big man Isaac Traudt. It was offline and instead fell harmlessly into the bucket. It was that kind of night where seemingly any Creighton shot attempt found Cintas Center nylon.

It was Swartz's breakout performance as he led Creighton's offense with a career-high 27 points. The Bluejays shot 8-of-15 from 3-point range in the first half and never cooled off, finishing 15-of-32, with Swartz hitting seven treys. It was the most 3-pointers allowed by a Xavier team at home since Evansville knocked down 17 in 2018.

Xavier offense struggles in Big East opener

Xavier's assist-to-field goals made ratio is one of the best in the country. That won't change as Xavier assisted on two-thirds of its field goals against Creighton. The problem was there weren't many made shots to celebrate.

Creighton, No. 87 in defensive efficiency, kept Xavier from establishing any type of rhythm. Xavier led, 10-6, in the first half. Creighton would score 43 of the next 55 points to take a 49-22 lead into the break.

Xavier shot just 30.8% from the field in the first half and were 2-of-11 from the perimeter, with both makes coming from Malik Messina-Moore.

Malik Messina-Moore connects from 3️⃣! pic.twitter.com/hT8h9UCAlO

— Xavier Basketball (@XavierMBB) December 17, 2025

Messina-Moore was one of the long bright spots for Xavier, hitting multiple 3-pointers for the first time since a loss to Iowa Nov. 14. The Montana transfer was also in double figures (14) for the first time since Xavier's second game of the season against Le Moyne.

Xavier leading scorer Tre Carroll was held in single digits (7) for the first time this season. Second-leading scorer Jovan Milicevic was scoreless, going 0-for-8. Roddie Anderson scored all 12 of his points in the second half. Pape N'Diaye was also in double figures with a season-high 10.

Xavier's offense uncharacteristically sloppy in loss to Creighton

Switching to a smaller lineup has helped Xavier's offense in many ways. Most notably, the Musketeers have five players on the court for the majority of the game who can handle the ball.

Xavier moved to No. 1 in the nation in KenPom in turnover percentage heading into Big East play. Those metrics took a beating in just one half as Xavier committed eight turnovers that led to 12 Creighton points.

Creighton entered the night 340th in the nation in turnover percentage and forced Xavier into 14 turnovers.

What's next for Xavier Musketeers basketball?

Xavier continues Big East play with its second true road game of the season on Saturday, Dec. 20 against Georgetown at Capital One Arena.

Georgetown started 5-0 but has dropped three of its last five games. The Hoyas opened Big East play against Marquette Wednesday in Milwaukee.

Xavier returns to Cintas Center after Christmas break to host No. 5 UConn on New Year's Eve.

Xavier women's basketball on 4-game winning streak

In Billi Chambers' first season as the head coach of Xavier women's basketball, the Musketeers went 1-27. Last season, they enjoyed a six-win improvement, finishing 7-24.

This fall, Xavier has already eclipsed last season's win total before the new year. Xavier wrapped up non-conference play Dec. 14 with a 63-51 win over Saint Francis.

XAVIER WINS!!!

The Musketeers close non-conference action with a win over the Red Flash!#MindOnMarch | #LetsGoXpic.twitter.com/j7cRUdIa3I

— Xavier Women's Basketball (@XavierWBB) December 14, 2025

It was the Musketeers' fourth straight victory, a run that included a Big East win over Providence and a road victory over UC in the Crosstown Shootout.

Xavier is 8-3 (1-1 Big East) heading into back-to-back conference road games against Butler (Dec. 19) and Seton Hall (Dec. 28).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Analysis of Xavier Musketeers' Big East loss to Creighton Bluejays