As an 11-seed, Xavier has defied the odds in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. Part of the team's success has come from the inspiration the Musketeers draw from a jar full of ashes from burned calendars, as .

The idea came from coach Chris Mack and his staff as they tried to think of a way to forget the month of February during which they lost several key games. The group's conclusion was that the best course of action was to literally burn the month.

"Let's not just burn it," Mack said. "Let's keep the ashes, buy an urn."

Xavier has carried an ash-filled jar for weeks. It contains the month of February. And it explains why they're alive
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello)

That urn turned into a jar and the Musketeers have carried it with them ever since. The jar doesn't have magical powers as the team has gone 5-2 since the ceremonial burning of the calendars. But overall, the moment created a spark the team needed as it prepared for play in the Sweet 16.