The way coach Chris Mack sees it, the most important factors for Xavier in Saturday's 5:30 p.m. Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout at Cintas Center will be rebounding and taking care of the basketball.
The No. 12 Musketeers (9-0) have had great success on the glass, as evidenced by a NCAA-fourth rebounding margin of plus-14.7, but No. 23 Cincinnati (8-1) ranks 13th nationally with an average 9.7 steals.
Needless to say, the energy-charged rivalry game – a Top 25 Shootout clash for the first time since 1994 – will be the biggest test of the Musketeers' young season.