Xavier hosts Kent State in final exhibition tune-up for regular season

In its final tune-up for the regular season, Xavier men's basketball will make its Cintas Center debut in an exhibition against the Kent State Golden Flashes on Friday, Oct. 23.

This winter, a win in Knoxville over Tennessee (picked to finish fourth in the SEC) would fit comfortably into the all-important "Quad 1" category for the Musketeers. But all Xavier got from its 86-70 exhibition win in Rocky Top Oct. 15 is a boost of confidence.

"A lot to learn from it. Tennessee is a terrific team," Xavier head coach Richard Pitino said. "It's an exhibition game. It doesn't count, but a lot of good things to draw from it, for sure."

One of the top takeaways for Xavier's October exhibitions has been how the Muskies have been able to win in two games in two different ways.

More: Xavier Musketeers storm back for exhibition road win over Tennessee

More: Grading Xavier Musketeers outdoor exhibition win over Dayton Flyers

More: Tennessee basketball vs Xavier exhibition game, best photos

In an outdoor exhibition against Dayton, Xavier never trailed, withstood the momentum swing as the Flyers trimmed a 17-point deficit to as little as one down the stretch, and finished strong.

Against Tennessee, Xavier overcame a sluggish start and a 10-point hole in the first half and did it with depth. With two starters, Mike Nwoko and Chance Westry, dealing with foul trouble and two freshmen out with injury, Xavier got 37 points off the bench and still shot over 70% in the second half to pull away from the Volunteers at Food City Center.

Now Xavier heads to Cintas Center, where they will play five of their first six regular-season games before a Thanksgiving trip to the Bahamas.

Kent State has been consistent in the MAC under Rob Senderoff

Entering his 16th season with the Golden Flashes, head coach Rob Senderoff has never had a losing year. In that span, Kent State has won 20-plus games 10 times, including four times in the last five years, and Senderoff is the winningest coach in program history.

Playing in what is (typically) a one-bid Mid-American Conference, Kent State has gone to the NCAA Tournament twice under Senderoff (2017, 2023).

Last season, the Golden Flashes went 24-10 and lost in the first round of the NIT. They came up short of ending the Miami RedHawks undefeated regular season, falling 107-101 in overtime on Jan. 20.

Kent State was picked fourth in the MAC's preseason coaches' poll and received a first-place vote. Guard Chansey Willis Jr., a Minnesota transfer, was a first-team All-MAC preseason pick. He averaged 16.8 points per game at Western Michigan in 2025 before a foot injury ended his 2026 season with the Golden Gophers after just seven games.

Kent State had to replace all five starters from last season and will do so with a mix of incoming transfers, returning players and high school recruits. Guard Dhani Miller from Montverde Academy is the highest-ranked recruit in program history. He was a top 15 shooting guard in the nation for the Class of 2026, per 247sports, and No. 67 in ESPN's Top 100.

Xavier Musketeers vs. Kent State Golden Flahes time, radio info

Tip: 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23 at Cintas Center (10,224)

Radio: 55WKRC, Xavier Musketeers App, Varsity Network (no TV or live stream)

Kent State Golden Flashes scouting report

Record: 24-10 (lost 1st round of NIT)

Head coach: Rob Senderoff (312-186 at Kent State, 16th season)

Offense: 84.3 PPG last season

Defense: 79.6 PPG last season

Projected starting lineup

(Position, Height, Stats)

Chansey Willis Jr. (G, 6'2", 6.3 PPG last season at Minnesota)

Christian Henry (G, 6'3", 10.7 PPG last season at Fordham)

Dhani Miller (G, 6'4", freshman)

Cameron Williams (F, 6'8", 10.6 PPG last season at Portland)

Latif Diouf (F, 6'9", 4.8 PPG last season at UT-Chattanooga)

Xavier Musketeers scouting report

Record: 15-18 last season

Head coach: Richard Pitino (15-18 at Xavier, second season)

Offense: 78.4 PPG last season

Defense: 80.6 PPG last season

Projected starting lineup

(Position, Height, Stats)

Chance Westry (G, 6'3", 15.5 PPG last season at UAB)

Tru Washington (G, 6'4", 11.9 PPG last season at Miami)

Ruben Dominguez (G, 6'6", 10.2 PPG last season at Texas A&M)

Jovan Milicevic (F, 6'10", 12.4 PPG last season at Xavier)

Mike Nwoko (C, 6'10", 13.4 PPG last season at LSU)

Xavier vs. Kent State: Players to watch

Tru Washington: The Xavier guard was just 3 of 10 shooting against Tennessee but did a little bit of everything to lead the Musketeers to a road win. He finished with 10 points and was the main facilitator with 12 assists. Xavier's depth features several scorers, but its backcourt has been banged up by injuries and foul trouble. We'll see how much time Washington gets to run the show as Chance Westry tries to find his footing after struggling against Dayton and Tennessee.

Rolyns Aligbe: If you want to look at how Xavier is different this year, take a look at Aligbe's performance in Knoxville. After missing the Dayton game, Aligbe showcased his rebounding prowess by scoring five points and grabbing seven rebounds (four on offense) over 17 minutes. Aligbe helped Xavier hold a 17-7 advantage in second-chance points and was a solid compliment down low next to leading scorer Nikos Chitikoudis (17 points) while Nwoko battled foul trouble.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Xavier hosts Kent State in final exhibition tune-up for regular season