This just might be Xavier's season if the Musketeers want to make the NCAA Tournament. It's that important of a game to them following a road overtime loss to St. John's and a road game against Creighton looming on Wednesday. The Musketeers are on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble at 1-6 in Quadrant I contests. 

The key question is Xavier good enough to beat the two-time defending national champion Huskies? The oddsmaker certainly believes so, opening the Musketeers as the favorite despite the uncertain status of fourth-leading scorer Dailyn Swain. 

I do, too. Connecticut is not playing that well. The Huskies would be 1-3 if not for getting past Butler, 80-78, in overtime as a 13 1/2-point home favorite this past Tuesday. Connecticut's history is to peak in February and March. 

Xavier nearly upset the Huskies on the road in the first meeting on Dec. 18. Connecticut needed to make 20-of-21 free throws to escape Xavier, 94-89, in overtime. Xavier did not have Zach Freemantle in that game, while the Huskies did have freshman star Liam McNeeley. Freemantle probably is Xavier's best player, leading the team in rebounding and averaging 16.6 points. McNeeley remains out with a high ankle sprain. He scored 14 points against the Musketeers. 

Xavier is 9-2 at home and will have a sold-out Cintas Center for this matchup. It is a strong home-court. The Musketeers certainly are capable. They upset Marquette on the road as a 10-point 'dog just two games ago. 

The Musketeers hold a huge 3-point shooting edge ranking 27th in the country at 38.2 percent. Connecticut is one of the worst in the country at defending from the perimeter ranking an embarrassing 353rd in 3-point defense.