Way back on November 19th of 2018, before the six game slide, before the improbable rally back to relevance, before Naji didn’t charge, and before Auburn obliterated UNC, Xavier very nearly beat an Elite Eight team on a neutral floor. In that game was something of a microcosm of Xavier’s season: early adversity, a furious rally, and not enough left in the tank at the end.
Last night Auburn dismantled UNC in what was supposed to be a game the Tar Heels rolled through on their way to a blue blood matchup with Kentucky. The Tigers poured in a three point barrage that Roy Williams never came close to solving.