Not-so-little Xavier bounces Pitt, 71-68
MILWAUKEE — Being called an overachieving mid-major is supposed to be a compliment in college basketball, perhaps the ultimate compliment.
Try to put that label on Xavier and coach Chris Mack, and stand back. You're in for an argument.
After Jordan Crawford's 27 points powered Xavier to a 71-68 NCAA tournament victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday — putting the Musketeers in the round of 16 for the third straight season — Mack said he "really" takes offense to having his team categorized as a mid-major.
As far as he's concerned, they're the not-so-little engine that should.
"We don't look at ourselves anything but being a high-major program, from the way we travel to the way we recruit to the amenities our kids enjoy," Mack said.
That sentiment was echoed by several players for the Musketeers (26-8), who advanced to play second-seeded Kansas State in the West Regional semifinals in Salt Lake City on Thursday.
While Sunday's game was a rematch from last year's tournament, when Pittsburgh knocked Xavier out one round later, the Musketeers seemed to draw more motivation from being overlooked by the national media — or labeled a mid-major when they do get discussed — than getting revenge on the Panthers.
"I mean, I don't know a lot of mid-majors that make three consecutive Sweet 16s," center Jason Love said. "So you can throw that out of the door right now."
Crawford, meanwhile, is no stranger to the spotlight; his dunk on LeBron James at an offseason basketball camp made him a sensation on YouTube. But even he picked up on the team's theme, overlooked and underrated.
"I think Xavier is always overlooked," Crawford said. "Not just overlooked — we just play with a chip on our shoulders."
That certainly won't be true any more for Crawford, who is certain to get even more attention after back-to-back big games to open the tournament. He had 28 points in a first-round victory over Minnesota.
"He's been doing that all year," Xavier forward Jamel McLean said. "Put the Superman cape on him. He's on fire right now."
Crawford is just happy to be back on the court after transferring from Indiana and sitting out a season.
"It was tough," Crawford said. "But now I went through it all and I fought through it and now I get to play with my team. And I know I'm not taking it for granted."
But Mack said the Musketeers are far from a one-man team.
"He doesn't have to get 35 for us to win," Mack said. "He's not Pistol Pete Maravich out there where the other four guys stand around and watch."
Pittsburgh (25-9) failed to advance past the first week of the tournament for only the fourth time in nine straight NCAA appearances.
It was a rough end to what was otherwise a pleasantly surprising season for the Panthers, who lost plenty of leadership from last year's team. That didn't make Sunday's loss any easier.
"I think this group had total confidence in themselves," coach Jamie Dixon said. "Some people may look at it as a surprise. I know we weren't picked that high. But where we got to, but there's disappointment in that locker room and really a feeling that we didn't win a game that we felt we should have won."
Pittsburgh nearly rallied behind a pair of late 3-pointers by Gilbert Brown.
Ashton Gibbs missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer, leaving less than a second left on the clock. Pittsburgh had one last chance to inbound the ball with 0.4 seconds left, but Brad Wanamaker left his shot short.
"Coach drew up a good play," Wanamaker said. "I thought it was good when it left my hand."
