No. 21 Xavier coach Travis Steele appreciates a sound defense. That includes the sounds of defense.

"You can always hear a good defense," Steele said. "Obviously you can see a good defense. But (you) should be able to hear a good defense. Hear them talk. Hear them communicating."

Hear this -- the 2-0 Musketeers have limited their opponents to 39.3 percent shooting from the field as they prepare for Tuesday's home game against Missouri (2-0), whose defensive numbers are even more impressive. The unbeaten Tigers have held their first two opponents to 32.2 percent.