Perhaps one of the significant plays along Xavier's unexpected road to the Elite Eight didn't take place in any of the three NCAA Tournament victories over better-seeded teams. It didn't take place in the BIG EAST Championship, or the victory over DePaul that snapped a six-game losing streak, or even anytime in the regular season.
Maybe this impactful play took place in the first practice of the season, when standout point guard Edmond Sumner's step-back jumper left callow newcomer Quentin Goodin sprawled on the floor.
Goodin explains: "I was playing like a freshman, trying to make a big-time play for my team, and I gambled on defense.