Cincinnati, OH -- (Sports Network) - State rivals collide in a non-conference game this afternoon as the Xavier Musketeers play host to the Miami-Ohio RedHawks.

Miami-Ohio has yet to play a home game this season, and the squad will not host an opponent until December 6th. The RedHawks are 2-2 thus far, and the losses have come against UCLA and Pittsburgh, two highly-ranked foes. The most recent outing took place on Monday and resulted in a 55-37 decision over Wright State.

As for Xavier, it is brimming with confidence after winning the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. After knocking off Missouri and Virginia Tech by a combined margin of five points to reach the title game, the Musketeers squeaked by Memphis, 63-58, to take home the championship. At 5-0, Xavier has to be considered the favorite today.

Xavier owns a 49-46 series lead over Miami-Ohio, but the RedHawks did win last season's meeting by a 59-57 final.

Against Wright State on Monday, Miami-Ohio shot a lackluster 37.5 percent from the floor and committed 15 turnovers. Fortunately, the RedHawks played tremendous defense, limiting the Raiders to 26.5 percent shooting while outrebounding them by a 42-26 margin. A 14-8 edge in points from the foul line also helped matters. Kenny Hayes tallied 20 points in the win on the strength of a 3-of-4 effort from three-point range. As for Michael Bramos, he posted 19 points. Through four outings, Miami is only generating 59.2 ppg on 39.8 percent shooting from the field. The RedHawks, who are limiting opponents to 62.2 ppg, are paced by Hayes' 16.0 ppg. Bramos is contributing 14.0 ppg for Miami, which hasn't gotten consistent offensive help from any other player.

The fact that Xavier beat Memphis despite shooting just 36 percent from the floor, including 14.3 percent from three-point range, is shocking. Fortunately, the Musketeers were able to outscore the Tigers by 10 points and hold them to 32.7 percent shooting from the field. Terrell Holloway scored 13 points on the strength of a 10-of-10 effort from the foul line. B.J. Raymond and Jamel McLean added 11 points apiece for the Musketeers, who got 10 points from C.J. Anderson. Jason Love pulled down 12 boards for Xavier, which is averaging 70.6 ppg, while limiting foes to 59.8 ppg on 35.4 percent shooting from the floor. Derrick Brown paces a balanced attack with 10.6 ppg, and Raymond is close behind with 10.6 ppg. As for Anderson, the MVP of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, he is scoring 10.0 ppg.