INDIANAPOLIS u2012 With Connecticut's win over Marquette earlier this week, Xavier's men's basketball team stands alone in first place in the Big East Conference with a half-game lead on the Golden Eagles.
The Musketeers have an opportunity on Friday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse to consolidate that first-place standing with a win over Butler (12-13, 4-10).
It's a rivalry game. It's also the type of game that separates a Big East contender from a pretender. Xavier's aspirations of hanging another Big East banner hinge entirely on beating teams in the bottom half of the league.
Intensity, toughness and execution should be there from the opening tip.