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Tre Carroll status in doubt as Xavier battles Marquette in Big East tourney

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Syndication: The EnquirerXavier Musketeers forward Tre Carroll (12) drives against Seton Hall Pirates guard Elijah Fisher (22) in the first half of the NCAA Big East conference basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Seton Hall Pirates at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Xavier trailed 33-32 at halftime.

NEW YORK — In his first season coaching in the Big East, Richard Pitino often praised the scoring prowess of Tre Carroll and lamented Xavier’s shaky defense.

After four straight NCAA tournament appearances, Marquette could not compensate for the departures from last season’s roster and is finishing a disappointing season.

For the second straight season, the Musketeers and Golden Eagles get together in the Big East tournament, but Wednesday’s opening-round contest is one without an NCAA berth on the line.

Last season, the schools met in the four-five matchup in the quarterfinals won by the Golden Eagles. But this year is drastically different since Marquette is seventh and Xavier is 10th, with the winner facing second-seeded UConn on Thursday.

Xavier (14-17) earned its lowest seed in the tournament and is on the verge of its second losing campaign in three seasons. The Musketeers allowed 80 points in 17 games and lost 14 of those contests, including Saturday’s 91-78 loss at Villanova.

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Xavier allowed 56.5% shooting in its regular-season finale, the 12th time it allowed at least 50%. Xavier also allowed 13 3s and 24 assists and its defense negated a 21-point showing from Jovan Milicevic.

“We guard nobody. We just guard nobody,” Pitino said. “We just hope they miss. I love our guys. They’re trying.”

After transferring from Florida Atlantic, Carroll averaged 18 points and was second in the Big East behind Providence’s Jaylin Sellers. Carroll missed a chance to win the scoring title by sitting out Saturday with a right hip injury sustained during last week’s nine-point loss to Seton Hall.

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Carroll, who was named to the All-Big East first team, is day-to-day. If he sits, Isaiah Walker would likely get the start after scoring 10 points Saturday.

Following the departures of Kam Jones, David Joplin and Stevie Mitchell, Marquette (12-19) is finishing its third losing season as a Big East member though it heads into the tournament with three wins in its past four games.

The Golden Eagles allowed less than 70 points in each of their final four games and earned a 68-62 victory over fourth-ranked UConn on Saturday, when they allowed 35.6% shooting and forced 16 turnovers in the final regular-season game for Ben Gold and Chase Ross.

“It’s been a year that, at times, we’ve been good on one end and not as good on the other end,” Marquette coach Shaka Smart said. “You got to put them both together if you want to win in March.”

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Nigel James Jr. scored 19 on Saturday and had three 30-point games in his freshman season, including 30 points in Marquette’s 96-88 loss at Xavier on Feb. 14.

–Larry Fleisher, Field Level Media

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Ravens fans rip into GM Eric DeCosta over Maxx Crosby disaster

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The Baltimore Ravens made headlines when they traded with the Las Vegas Raiders for defensive end Maxx Crosby. They finalized a deal for the five-time Pro Bowler in exchange for two first-round picks. He was supposed to help bolster the defense this upcoming season.

However, on Tuesday, it was reported that the Ravens decided to back out of this trade with the Raiders for Crosby. He failed to pass the physicals, resulting in the team backing out of their decision to acquire him.

The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec shared a tweet, highlighting the impact this voided deal has on the Ravens.

“Crosby has been in Baltimore for the past couple of days in anticipation of the deal becoming finalized at 4 p.m. tomorrow. Now, there will be no deal and the Ravens, who have already lostnine UFAs while signing one, are in an even bigger hole,” Zrebiec wrote.

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Fans on social media criticized the Ravens and GM Eric DeCosta for their mismanagement of the Maxx Crosby trade.

“Fire EDC this is unforgivable,” one fan commented.

@jeffzrebiec Fire EDC this is unforgivable

“Fire Eric Decosta, wtf are we doing man. This dude can’t build a f****g roster,” another fan said.

@jeffzrebiec Fire Eric Decosta, wtf are we doing man. This dude can’t build a fucking roster

“Eric Decosta is the worst gm in football,” this fan wrote.

eric decosta is the worst gm in football

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“ERIC DECOSTA SHOULD BE FIRED IMMEDIATELY!” another fan said.

ERIC DECOSTA SHOULD BE FIRED IMMEDIATELY!

“Fire EDC, season over,” one fan wrote.

@sgellison Disaster. Fire EDC season over.

“Lamar is going to fight Eric DeCosta in the Ravens Parking lot,” this fan commented.

Lamar is going to fist fight Eric DeCosta in the Ravens Parking Lot

“Get this dumba** MF ERIC DECOSTA THE F**K OUT OF HERE! This clown a** mf is not serious about winning… Why TF WOULD YOU DO THIS S**T…. WE CLEARLY NEEDED A F*****G EDGE RUSHER and you backed out of it… Fire him right now Biscotti!!” another fan said.

Get this dumbass MF ERIC DECOSTA THE FUCK OUT OF HERE! This clown ass mf is not serious about winning….. Why TF WOULD YOU DO THIS SHIT…….. WE CLEARLY NEEDED A FUCKING EDGE RUSHER and you back out of it… Fire him right now Biscotti!!!

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Last season, the Ravens ranked No.24 in terms of total defense, allowing an average of 354.5 yards and 42 touchdowns. They had the third-most-injured defense in the league, hampering their chances of being a Super Bowl contender.

The Ravens finished second in the AFC North with an 8-9 record, failing to qualify for the playoffs. The team decided to rebuild, firing coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons and bringing in Jesse Minter as his replacement.

On the other hand, Maxx Crosby and the Raiders finished dead last in the AFC West with a 3-14 record. The five-time Pro Bowler missed out on the last two games of the season due to a torn meniscus, finishing with 73 total tackles, 10 sacks and 28 tackles for loss.


ALSO READ: NFL insiders dish on Jerry Jones’ Cowboys possibly trading for Maxx Crosby after Ravens shockingly pull out of blockbuster trade

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ALSO READ: “Something feels off,” “He just had knee surgery”: NFL fans stunned as Ravens back out of Maxx Crosby trade after star DE fails physical test


NFL insider shares his thoughts on the impact of the failed Maxx Crosby trade on the Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders have been rebuilding their roster and coaching staff after the disastrous 2025 campaign. They brought in Klint Kubiak to replace Pete Carroll as the coach while finalizing other player deals.

The team had moved on with the assumption that Maxx Crosby would not be playing for them in 2026. However, after the Ravens backed out of this trade, NFL insider Albert Breer noted that it could affect the team’s offseason plans.

“This puts the Raiders in an incredibly difficult situation. They lose the picks, they have a bunch of deals to be finalized tomorrow done under the assumption Maxx Crosby was gone, and now they may have to turn around and trade him again with the medical question hovering,” Breer tweeted.

Will another team decide to pick up the five-time Pro Bowler on a similar trade value?

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