Keys, prediction as Xavier seeks 3-0 start vs. Detroit Mercy

Xavier's first two games of the season weren't expected to provide much drama. The Musketeers have made sure of that. Following a 45-point season-opening win over Mount St. Mary's, Xavier shook off a stagnant start and pulled away from Eastern Michigan for a 76-53 victory and the program's 19th consecutive 2-0 start. Two games in, Xavier's depth has continued to show itself and so has the Musketeers' ability to take care of business against lesser competition. Blowouts against buy-game opponents aren't necessarily a measure of how good a team is, but they are a measure of whether a team is doing what it's supposed to do. Xavier has checked that box over two games and will look to do the same when they finish a three-game homestand against Detroit Mercy on Tuesday, Nov. 10. More: Xavier University announces Richard Pitino bobblehead giveawayMore: Xavier rides defense to win over Eastern Michigan, 2-0 startMore: Richard Pitino provides injury updates on Appelhans, ElsonKeys to a Xavier Musketeers win over Detroit Mercy1. Xavier's defensive intensity can win a lot of games Even the most high-flying offenses will have off nights, but intensity and effort on defense is something that can show up on a nightly basis. While Xavier's offense was stuck in mud against Eastern Michigan, the Musketeers' defense was at its best in holding the underdog Eagles without a bucket for nearly 11 minutes.Xavier's defense has the ability to suffocate opponents with its length and athleticism. They'll try to do that on Tuesday against a Detroit Mercy offense that managed just 32 points in its season opener. 2. Get to the free-throw line and make it count Xavier has won two games by a combined 68 points. The gap could've been wider, had the Musketeers taken advantage at the free-throw line. Over five total games (three exhibition, two regular season), Xavier is shooting just 65.9% from the free-throw line. The good news is that the Muskies are getting to the stripe often (27 attempts per game). Though Xavier has left some points on the board, it's a good sign the Musketeers are getting to the charity stripe. Last season, Xavier didn't have many guards who could apply pressure on the rim or big men that could draw whistles down low. Xavier shot just 17.8 free throws per game. "We shoot them every day," Richard Pitino said. "Free throws are hard, but I love the fact that we're getting to the line more." 3. Xavier tries to bounce back on the rebounding front The lone defensive gripe Xavier had against Eastern Michigan was on the glass. After grabbing 56 rebounds against Mount St. Mary's (the most in the Pitino era), Xavier lost the battle on the boards, 39-33, to Eastern Michigan. The Musketeers were forcing plenty of misses (EMU shot 28%) but allowed 18 second-chance opportunities. "Gotta do a much, much better job than that," Pitino said. Xavier Musketeers vs. Detroit Mercy Titans time, TV, radioTip: 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10 at Cintas Center (10,224)TV/Radio: ESPN+/700WLWRatings: Xavier is No. 42 in KenPom and Detroit Mercy is No. 305. History: Xavier and Detroit Mercy are former rivals in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference. Xavier leads the all-time series 52-43. Detroit Mercy Titans scouting reportRecord: 0-1Head coach: Mark Montgomery (25-40 at Detroit Mercy, third season)Offense: 32 PPGDefense: 93 PPGOverview: Last season, Detroit Mercy was one win away from its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012, losing the Horizon League Championship game to Wright State, 66-63. The Titans were picked to finish seventh in the Horizon League this year.Detroit Mercy opens its season against back-to-back Big East opponents. In its season-opener Nov. 6, the Titans were pummeled by Marquette, 93-32. Detroit Mercy shot just 22% from the field and had more turnovers (20) than made field goals and free throws combined (14). Projected starting lineup(Position, Height, Stats)Lance Stone (G, 5'8", 5 PPG)Ayden Carter (G, 6'5", 7 PPG)Tyler Spratt (G, 6'7", 8 PPG)London Maiden (F, 6'8", 0 PPG)Xavier Istomin-Moore (C, 7'1", 2 PPG)Xavier Musketeers scouting reportRecord: 2-0Head coach: Richard Pitino (17-18 at Xavier, second season)Offense: 86.5 PPGDefense: 52.5 PPGProjected starting lineup(Position, Height, Stats)Tru Washington (G, 6'4", 7.5 PPG)Ruben Dominguez (G, 6'6", 5.5 PPG)Filip Borovicanin (F, 6'9", 9 PPG)Jovan Milicevic (F, 6'10", 11.5 PPG)Mike Nwoko (C, 6'10", 9.5 PPG)Xavier vs. Detroit Mercy final score predictionXavier has no trouble improving to 3-0 for the 20th time in 27 seasons: Xavier 89, Detroit Mercy 54This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Keys, prediction as Xavier seeks 3-0 start vs. Detroit Mercy