ORLANDO, Fla. — No. 11 seed Xavier advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2012 by crushing No. 3 seed Florida State. Here are three points from the Musketeers’ 91–66 demolition of the Seminoles.
1. The key matchup Saturday was Chris Mack versus Leonard Hamilton, and Mack dominated
Xavier’s players seemed prepared for everything and unsurprised by anything. The Musketeers were disciplined in their 1-3-1 zone, daring the Seminoles to try to dribble through it or shoot over it. On the offensive end, Trevon Bluiett (game-high 29 points) made tough shots over bigger defenders.