Xavier Musketeers Get Play-In Game

Mar 14, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Brandon Randolph (3) and forward Justin Martin (20) react on the bench during the second half of a semifinal game of the Big East college basketball tournament against the Creighton Bluejays at Madison Square Garden. Creighton defeated Xavier 86-78. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

It was close but the Xavier Musketeers made the NCAA Tournament. The Musketeers will play in the one of the first four play in games in Dayton, Ohio on Tuesday. Xavier must win to advance to the next round of 64 teams, if they win they will face the St. Louis Billikins.

Xavier enters the tournament after a final four exit from the Big East tournament this past weekend. Their 21-12 record is one of the more mediocre records in the tournament. Their first round match up comes against a hot NC State team that was the last team selected to the tournament.

The play in game is always an interesting a game and this year is no different. Xavier may have entered the tournament as an #11 seed if it weren’t for the Dayton Flyers making the tournament. The committee didn’t want Dayton to play the equivalent of a home game in the first round. Instead the committee sent Dayton to Buffalo to face Ohio State in the first round and put Xavier in the play in game against NC State.

A Xavier Ohio State matchup would have created some good story lines, besides both being Ohio schools and hour and a half apart, Xavier is Thad Matta’s old school. The story line would be have been good, but you can replicate that for the Ohio State/Dayton .

Xavier tips at 9:10pm Tuesday on TruTV. You can also stream the game from CBS.