GAME NOTES: The Xavier Musketeers conclude their two-game road swing in Alabama on Saturday when they tangle with the Auburn Tigers in a non- conference matchup at Auburn Arena.

Xavier coasted to a 74-58 victory over Missouri last Saturday to improve to 8-2 overall and 1-0 in true road tests. The Musketeers have won three games in a row and outscored their opposition by an average of 17.3 ppg during that span. Coach Chris Mack's squad has been impressive on the offensive end in 2014-15, leading all Big East schools in scoring offense (82.2 ppg), assists (18.7 apg) and field goal percentage (.526).

The Musketeers used a collective effort to down the Tigers last weekend as eight different players recorded five points or more. Senior guard Dee Davis led the way with 17 points and four assists, while sophomores Myles Davis and Brandon Randolph contributed 11 points apiece off the bench. Freshman swingman Trevon Bluiett, who leads the team and all Big East rookies with 14.0 ppg, finished with eight points on 2-of-6 shooting from the floor, but clocked only 20 minutes before being disqualified with five personal fouls. Dee Davis is handing out 6.0 apg, which is the 15th most among Division I players.

Auburn will be looking to return to the .500 mark after its 80-62 decision over Winthrop on Wednesday raised it to a 4-5 standing. The Tigers have played only four games at Auburn Arena under first-year coach Bruce Pearl. They were defeated, 58-54, by Coastal Carolina in their last home appearance on Dec. 5. Auburn submitted a decent offensive showing versus Winthrop by connecting on 44.3 percent of its field goal tries, including a 7-of-19 clip from 3-point range, however it has struggled offensively throughout the campaign. The Tigers are posting just 65.8 ppg and are 0-5 when scoring 61 points or less.

Auburn leaned on its star junior Cinmeon Bowers against Winthrop and the 6- foot-7, 278-pound forward delivered. Bowers tallied 19 points and 17 boards to record his sixth double-double in nine games, giving him the most double- doubles in the SEC. Bowers is also pacing the conference and ranks third nationally on the glass with 12.1 rpg. The Tigers' offensive woes could be cured by senior guard Antoine Mason, who made his program debut last Sunday at Clemson. Mason led the nation in scoring last season with 25.6 ppg at Niagara before transferring. Senior guard KT Harrell has scored 20-or-more points in five of eight games this season en route to a team-high 17.6 ppg. He has topped the 20-point mark 17 times in 39 career games at Auburn.

This will be the first collision between Xavier and Auburn since 2008. The Musketeers lost the first three meetings and won the last four.

Mason elected to leave the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to test his talent against elite level competition. The Musketeers are easily the toughest opponent Auburn has faced to this point. Xavier's senior big man Matt Stainbrook is solid on both ends of the floor and may be capable of winning his personal matchup versus Bowers. The Tigers' one-two punch in the backcourt will have to outplay the Musketeers' efficient guards for a victory to be possible.