BROOKLYN – Xavier didn't have the toughness or execution required to get the job done on Wednesday night against Iowa State, and if that doesn't change on Friday night (7 p.m., ESPNU) then the Musketeers (4-1) could be staring at a second straight loss when they meet Virginia Tech (5-1) at the Barclays Center in the NIT Season Tip-Off.
Virginia Tech went toe-to-toe with No. 9 Memphis on Wednesday in a 69-61 loss, so the Hokies, ranked just outside the Associated Press top-25, will be a challenge for Xavier.
Virginia Tech only allows 51.7 points per game and the Hokies are shooting 41% from 3-point range.