WATCH: Frustrations boil over as Xavier players scuffle before surviving Kennesaw State upset bid
Emotions can get high in the NCAA Tournament, with just one heartbreaking loss being able to take away your season. Especially when you are highly ranked and have expectations on you, avoiding upsets can be a stressful task down the stretch. Xavier is no different, finding a way to come back against Kennesaw State on Friday.
In the midst of an incredible run, two Muskateer teammates got into a heated exchange. Souley Boum and Adam Kunkel were going at one another coming off the court and into a timeout. Even when they were in the huddle and going over the situation with head coach Sean Miller, they were still jawing at one another.
Cameras at the game picked up the whole interaction. You would have to assume they smooth things over with the final buzzer now sounding. Especially since they will be advancing into the next round.
You can watch the full moment here.
Had Xavier dropped the game, Kennesaw State would have been just the latest to pull off the incredible upset. It took an incredible collapse for the Musketeers to come all the way back. Nobody is quite sure how they are walking away with a win — even their own head coach, Sean Miller.
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“I’m not sure,” Miller said during his postgame interview. I’m really not.”
Miller is right, especially when it came down to an officiating decision. Kennesaw State was down one and looking for a game-winning play. Many will think he was fouled but as it turned out, Xavier escapes and moves on.
Miller and company will have time to do some soul-searching, still waiting to see who will be their opponent in the next round. Iowa State and Pittsburgh will closely follow their game, hoping to join Xavier in the Round of 32.
Hopefully, the likes of Boum and Kunkel can figure out their differences in the near future. Otherwise, the season will be over sooner rather than later.