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Xavier's Season Comes to a Close with a 86-73 Loss to Illinois in NCAA Tournament
By
Musketeer Madness,
3/22/2025
Xavier’s season came to a close Friday night in the NCAA Tournament as the No. 11 seed Musketeers fell to No. 6 seed Illinois, 86-73, at Fiserv Forum. Despite a valiant effort from Dailyn Swain, who led Xavier with a career-high 27 points, the Musketeers could not keep pace with a sharp-shooting Illini squad that drained 12 three-pointers and shot a perfect 18-of-18 from the free-throw line.
Illinois took control early, using a balanced attack to build a five-point halftime lead at 40-35. Tomislav Ivisic led the way for the Fighting Illini with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Will Riley added 22 points, including three triples. Xavier, which led by as many as four in the opening minutes, struggled to maintain momentum as Illinois pulled away late in the second half.
Swain did all he could to keep Xavier in the game, showcasing his scoring ability from all areas of the floor. The freshman guard connected on 10-of-17 shots, including three from beyond the arc, and was perfect from the free-throw line. However, he lacked consistent offensive support, as no other Musketeer finished with more than 12 points.
Dayvion McKnight chipped in with 12 points, while Ryan Conwell added 12 as well, but Xavier struggled to generate second-chance opportunities, losing the rebounding battle 45-25. The Musketeers also found themselves in foul trouble, sending Illinois to the line frequently, where they made the most of their opportunities.
The second half saw Illinois extend its lead to as many as 17 points with just under 10 minutes remaining. Kasparas Jakucionis orchestrated the Illini offense with 16 points and a game-high 10 assists, repeatedly setting up teammates for open looks beyond the arc. Illinois' three-point shooting proved to be the difference, as they connected on 40% of their attempts.
Zach Freemantle, playing in his final game as a Musketeer, was limited to just five points on 2-of-9 shooting. He battled throughout but was unable to find his rhythm against Illinois’ interior defense. With the loss, fellow seniors Jerome Hunter, Marcus Foster, Dayvion McKnight, Dante Maddox Jr., Bob Nunge, and Brad Colbert also saw their Xavier careers come to an end.
Xavier's defense had no answer for Illinois’ offensive efficiency, especially in the second half. The Illini shot 51.6% from the field after the break, compared to Xavier’s 42.9%. Despite forcing 14 turnovers, the Musketeers were unable to capitalize, managing just 13 points off turnovers.
Illinois took advantage of Xavier’s struggles inside, outscoring the Musketeers 30-26 in the paint. More crucially, the Illini doubled up Xavier in second-chance points, 10-5, converting their offensive rebounds into valuable scoring opportunities that helped maintain control down the stretch.
The loss marks the end of a solid 22-12 campaign for Xavier, which faced ups and downs throughout the season but fought its way into the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Sean Miller will now look toward the future, as the Musketeers transition into a new era without several key veterans.
For seniors Freemantle, Hunter, Foster, McKnight, Maddox Jr., Nunge, and Colbert, the final buzzer signified the end of their college careers. Each played a role in Xavier’s success over the years, helping the program remain competitive in the Big East and on the national stage.
As the Musketeers head into the offseason, they will look to build around young talent like Swain, who delivered a breakout performance on the national stage. While the season did not end as Xavier had hoped, the foundation is in place for continued success in the years to come.
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