No.16 Xavier Men’s Basketball endured a key test at home on Wednesday. In their 85-83 overtime win against No.17 Providence. Advancing by the skin of their teeth against one of the Big East’s best teams.

Throughout the course of No.16 Xavier’s season. I’ve considered their matchups against No.17 Providence to be a key test. To see how new and improved Xavier is in Sean Miller’s second stint as their head coach. Not just because Providence has become a consistently good program with head coach Ed Cooley. It’s also because of how Xavier has fared against Providence in recent years.

In their last ten meetings going into Wednesday, Xavier was 4-6. The Xavier Musketeers snapped a three-game losing streak against Providence through Wednesday’s win. That was their longest losing streak against Providence as Big East teams. Xavier’s last win against Providence prior to Wednesday was in January 2021. The 2015-16 season is the only one so far where Xavier swept Providence.

The way this season has progressed added to the importance of Wednesday’s game. Xavier, Providence and No.14 Marquette went into Wednesday in a three-way tie for first place in the Big East. All three went into that day with 17-5 overall and 9-2 conference records. Xavier and Marquette emerged from Wednesday tied for the Big East lead. After Marquette won at home against Villanova later Wednesday night.

Wednesday’s game was also a test of Xavier’s resilience. Xavier senior forward Zach Freemantle is set to miss a month of games due to a foot injury. He had surgery on the same foot in 2021. Freemantle led the Musketeers with 8.1 rebounds per game going into Wednesday. While trailing only Souley Boum in total points going into this weekend. Freemantle’s injury will put the spotlight on his fellow forwards. Mainly Jack Nunge, Dieonte Miles and Jerome Hunter.

Nunge led Wednesday’s game with 23 points and 14 rebounds. His performance on Wednesday leaves him and Freemantle tied now in rebounds per game. Boum and Colby Jones had 20 points each. While Boum led the game with nine assists. Jerome Hunter led the game with seven offensive rebounds.

While Xavier passed the test against Providence this week. They face a challenging month ahead in their schedule. This includes Xavier’s home game against St. John’s this Saturday at 5 PM Eastern. Along with a game featuring former Xavier and current Butler head coach Thad Matta. At Indianapolis’ Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 10th. The Musketeers will play No.14 Marquette in Milwaukee on February 15th. Then face a DePaul team that narrowly upset Xavier last month on February 18th.