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An in-state battle for supremacy turned into a showcase for the Xavier Musketeers on Sunday. Squaring off with adversary Dayton for the first time in three years, Xavier flexed their muscled and pounded the Flyers to the tune of 90-61.
In front of a crowd that featured the great Bill Murray, Xavier flashed what's made them one of the most impressive teams in the nation to this point in the season. The Musketeers finished off this weekend in grand style, winning the 2015 Advocare Invitational title.
Six Xavier players finished the day in double figures with Edmond Sumner scoring a team-high 14 points. Trevon Bluiett complemented Sumner's output with 12 of his own, as the Indianapolis native finished off a terrific weekend in Orlando. Myles Davis, J.P. Macura, Remy Abell and Jalen Reynolds had 12, 11, 11, and 11 respectively.
Three things we learned from this win:
1. Xavier won the rebounding battle, Xavier won the game
The rebounding battle was comfortably won by the Musketeers on Sunday afternoon. X led 40-26 in total rebounds, 27-22 in defensive rebounds, and 13-4 in offensive rebounds. This should prove to make it seven games in a row where Xavier has led in OR% and DR%. Not coincidentally, Xavier has won these last seven games to start their 2015-16 season. Leading the way individual was none other than James Farr who continued to make an impact on the glass against the in-state rival Flyers. Farr grabbed seven boards, while four other Xavier players picked up at least five.
2. Edmond Sumner is the truth
Much was made of Xavier's pursuit of a point guard this offseason. Well, Chris Mack found him. Edmond Sumner kept up his brilliant play in 2015 with a 14 point, three rebound and three assist performance against Dayton on Sunday. Sumner was efficient from the floor as well, shooting 5-for-8 from the field and 2-for-3 from the free throw line and 3-point line as well. His eFG% on the day was a tremendous 75.0 percent as well. If Sumner keeps this up, he'll continue to emerge as a legitimate threat at the point guard position.
3. The Musketeers are one of the best teams in the nation
Already sandwiched in the Top 25, Xavier should see an increase in their standing in the polls this week after this impressive weekend performance in Orlando. They handled their business in each contest, and dismissed a tough USC team with relative ease. They capped off their weekend with this thrashing of Dayton, a major threat in the Atlantic 10 Conference. At this point, with how much depth they have, and how many ways they can beat you, you'd be hard pressed to find many teams that are better than Xavier. They're one of the top teams in the country, and hopefully the nation is beginning to pay attention.