March Madness 2022: Will Xavier Make the NCAA Tournament?

Xavier is trending in the wrong direction and is in a tricky predicament come the Big East Tournament this week.

Travis Steele's team is in the midst of their third straight late season slide with the Musketeers losing seven of nine to close the regular season. They have played themselves from locks to make the NCAA Tournament, threatening for a top 7 seed, to firmly on the March Madness bubble.

Let's get you updated with where the Musketeers stand heading into the Big East Tournament.

Xavier NCAA Tournament Projection

Bracket Matrix currently puts Xavier on the 11 line for the NCAA Tournament and on 118 of 123 tracked brackets.

According to ESPN's Joe Lunardi, the Musketeers are the top team in the last four in section, meaning that Wyoming, Rutgers and SMU are all trailing behind Xavier as team's to fall out of the field.

However, Steele's team must keep a watchful eye for any bid stealing teams during conference tournament week. For every at-large team that doesn't win their projected conference, a spot is taken in the field. At this rate, without a run at MSG, Xavier is on the chopping block.

Xavier Remaining Schedule

The Musketeers fall is of course concerning but are still in decent shape as they head to Madison Square Garden to play in the Big East Tournament.

They are set to face Butler in the 8/9 matchup on Wednesday. If the team loses there, Steele and co. may need to start preparing for an NIT berth.

However, a win there and a loss to Providence in the quarterfinals may be enough to keep them afloat until we see how the rest of the conference tournaments shake out. A win against Providence on Thursday should be enough to lock Xavier in the field of 68 despite their recent poor stretch.

You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!