CINCINNATI \u2013 Miller Time is back.<\/p>\n
Sure, Sean Miller was rehired on March 19 to return the Xavier men\u2019s basketball program back to the heights it enjoyed in his first run on Victory Parkway in the late 2000s. <\/p>\n
But the first three games of the season were a mere warmup to what energized fans enjoyed Friday night at Cintas Center. <\/p>\n
Yes, Xavier lost 81-79 to No. 12 Indiana when Adam Kunkel\u2019s left-handed layup danced around the rim but fell off with four seconds left. That layup would\u2019ve given the Muskies (3-1) an improbable and electrifying win. Still, it was a game that offered a glimpse of what is to come with this bunch. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to keep our eyes on what\u2019s most important, which is getting better and improving. If Adam Kunkel went down the left (side) of the lane and made the shot, it would\u2019ve felt like a parade here tonight,\u201d Miller told me. \u201cBut we still have the same issues.\u201d <\/p>\n
Those issues are a defense that allowed 50 points in the paint and 43 points in the second half.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere aren\u2019t too many college basketball games before Thanksgiving that are going to have what we had here tonight. I thought it was a heckuva game. We had a tremendous crowd as always. I\u2019m disappointed we weren\u2019t able to take advantage of it with a win.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nClose but no cigar for Sean Miller and @XavierMBB<\/a> Friday vs. Indiana pic.twitter.com\/k4KzmBA5zz<\/a><\/p>\n
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) November 19, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n