KNOXVILLE, Tenn. − Xavier forward Filip Borovicanin, who was deemed eligible through Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's executive order earlier this week, will start for the Musketeers in an exhibition game against the Tennessee Volunteers at the Food City Center on Thursday, Oct. 15.
On Tuesday, Oct. 13, DeWine issued an executive order that allowed Class of 2022 athletes at an Ohio college to be eligible if they are within five years of their 19th birthday and five years of enrolling in college at the start of the 2026-27 academic year. They also cannot have participated as a professional athlete.
Earlier this month, Ohio's First District Court of Appeals sided with the NCAA and kept the players suing the NCAA ineligible. Attorneys for the players filed for an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court Oct. 6.
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On Wednesday, Oct. 14, the Ohio Supreme Court stayed the Ohio Court of Appeals decision and has ordered supplemental briefs by 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19.
Until then, Borovicanin, as well as UC's MJ Collins, remain eligible. Borovicanin will make his 2026-27 season debut with Richard Pitino's Musketeers after averaging 10.8 points and 7.4 rebounds in 33 games last season.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Filip Borovicanin in Xavier's starting lineup against Tennessee