After ups and downs, Xavier ended on a high

A tumultuous season for Xavier ended with the Musketeers in a familiar position: the Sweet 16.

It was quite the roller coaster ride for Xavier, which began the season 8-0 and ranked in the top 10 in both major polls. A much-publicized brawl on Dec. 10 against cross-town rival Cincinnati resulted in the suspension of four players and temporarily derailed Xavier's season. However, a tough nonconference schedule and a pair of victories in the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament were enough for Xavier to secure a seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

From there, the Musketeers did what they do in March, notching a pair of come-from-behind wins over Notre Dame and Lehigh to earn their fourth trip to the Sweet 16 in five seasons. A narrow 75-70 loss to third-seeded Baylor prevented the Musketeers from reaching the Elite Eight for the third time since 2004.

"I'm really proud of our group," coach Chris Mack said. "We took a lot of arrows throughout the year. We took our ups and downs. Never once did our kids wave the white flag. Never once."

Glass half-full: The Musketeers salvaged their season and maintained a tradition of success in the NCAA Tournament. Glass half-empty: One of the most ballyhooed teams in school history fell short of its lofty expectations.

Whatever the case, Xavier moves on. A highly touted recruiting class could help ease the loss of Tu Holloway, who finished his career sixth on the school's all-time scoring list, and center Kenny Frease, 14th on Xavier's all-time rebounding list. Mark Lyons, second on the team in scoring this season, and dynamic guard Dezmine Wells will be among the returnees.

"It stings to come up short in a Sweet 16 game," Mack said. "We just keep knocking on that door."

NOTES, QUOTES

Xavier continues its run of NCAA tourney success

--Xavier is one of only four teams to reach the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 four times in the past five years, joining Kansas, Michigan State and North Carolina. No team has made all of the past five Sweet 16s. It was the sixth Sweet 16 appearance for the Musketeers.

--Xavier made its seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, one of only eight schools to do so. The Musketeers have reached the NCAA Tournament in 11 of the past 12 years, and in 22 of the past 30.

--The Musketeers recorded their seventh straight 20-win season, their 15th in the past 16 years.

FINAL RECORD: 23-13, 10-6, third in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

2011-12 SEASON RECAP: Xavier began the season 8-0 and ranked in the top 10 in both major polls, but an ugly brawl with 9.4 seconds remaining in a 76-53 win over city rival Cincinnati sent the Musketeers' season into a tailspin. Four players were suspended for their roles in the fight, and Xavier lost five of its next six games. Despite missing key opportunities for quality wins over Gonzaga, Memphis and Temple, the Musketeers managed to advance to the Atlantic 10 Conference finals, and that coupled with a strong nonconference schedule and computer rating was enough to earn them a seventh straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Wins over No. 7 seed Notre Dame and No. 15 seed Lehigh earned No. 10 seed Xavier its fourth Sweet 16 appearance in the past five years. The season ended with a 75-70 loss to No. 3 seed Baylor in the regional semifinals.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I had a great career here at Xavier. I credit coach (Chris) Mack for putting the ball in my hands and letting me run the team for three years. I don't think I would've become the player I am at another school. I'm happy about coming to Xavier, and to be a part of this." -- Xavier guard Tu Holloway, following the loss to Baylor in the NCAA Tournament.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

THE GOOD NEWS: Xavier's streak of NCAA Tournament appearances is now at seven, including four Sweet 16 trips in the past five years. Second-leading scorer Mark Lyons said after the loss to Baylor that he's returning for his senior season. Along with Lyons, dynamic freshman Dezmine Wells and defensive specialist Dee Davis form a solid backcourt for next season, but they'll have help. The Musketeers welcome a recruiting class that some pundits have ranked in the top 15 nationally.

THE BAD NEWS: Tu Holloway, the school's sixth all-time leading scorer, has graduated and is preparing for his NBA career. Although Kenny Frease was much maligned during his career, the team will miss the presence of the 7-foot, 275-pounder. Also out is graduate student Andre Walker, leaving the Musketeers devoid of post experience next season.

KEY RETURNEES: Second-leading scorer Mark Lyons said he'll return for his senior season. Dezmine Wells, the Musketeers' fourth-leading scorer, Dee Davis and Justin Martin will be sophomores. Forwards Travis Taylor and Jeff Robinson and 3-point specialist Brad Redford will be seniors. A highly touted recruiting class featuring guards Semaj Christon and Myles Davis and forwards James Farr and Jalen Reynolds will help Xavier reload.

PLAYER NOTES:

--Senior G Tu Holloway, selected to the Atlantic 10 Conference first team this season, finished his career third on Xavier's all-time list with 550 assists. Holloway had 100 or more assists and led the team in assists for three consecutive seasons. Holloway ranks sixth on Xavier's all-time scoring list with 1,833 career points. He averaged 22.7 points in the NCAA Tournament.

--Senior C Kenny Frease finished his career 37th on Xavier's all-time scoring list with 1,103 career points and 14th on its all-time rebounding list with 723 rebounds.

--Freshman G Dezmine Wells, a 2012 Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie Team selection and the Sporting News A-10 Freshman of the Year, was fourth on the team with 9.8 points per game. He scored just two points in the regional semifinal loss to Baylor while hobbled with a toe injury, but he had five rebounds and a steal.