At Xavier, 'the whole campus swarmed outside'

As the final seconds ticked down on Xavier's dramatic 73-71 Xavier win over Arizona in the NCAA tournament, Musketeer fans knew there was only one place to go.

Students from the dorms rushed the quads in the early hours of the morning, celebrating Xavier's win and Elite Eight status.

"The whole campus swarmed outside," student Jack Trimpy told The Enquirer Friday morning.

"I don't remember the last minute, everyone was jumping,." said student Claire Comer, who watched the game in her dorm room with friends.

Other students like Grayson Jenkins met friends at Buffalo Wild Wings on Madison Road, where the scene was very much the same.

"I was hugging people I didn't even know," said Jenkins.

Junior Michael Carter watched at local watering hole Dana Gardens, describing the atmosphere as "electric."

"It exploded from the inside out," said Carter.

The Musketeers began this improbable tour as a "bubble team," questionable to even make the tournament. After losing six straight in February, students were biting their nails, hoping their team would go to the big dance.

Even after securing an 11 seed, sophomore Jack Sanders had his doubts. He didn't even have Xavier winning their first game in his NCAA bracket. Friday morning he was still in disbelief.

"I woke up and me and my roommates still don't know what to say," said Sanders. "There are no words to explain how I'm feeling."

With the team's current momentum, students believe the Muskies can make the Final Four and beyond.

"It was the greatest experience of my life," said Jenkins. "I'm proud to be a Musketeer, and let's get that W."