It's time to review Xavier

[kayako]

If you've ever wandered if a mid-major conference all-star team can compete in a power conference....

[XUFan09]

If you've ever wandered if a mid-major conference all-star team can compete in a power conference....

Lol I started cracking up at this cause it's true. Three of the likely starters playing alongside Freemantle and Claude.

[Xudash]

Freemantle is officially returning to Victory Parkway:

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/2023/04/24/zach-freemantle-to-return-for-fifth-season-with-xavier-musketeers/70147928007/?fbclid=IwAR1wRyfzS37EevsLWT7TnkMQpgblPZc5Kr2hiLdxypBz0SiIamIEIvJMjOI

[xusandy]

Not a single top 50 transfer via the portal among the guys coming in, but McNight and Oliveras seem like possible breakout players. There's also a fairly highly rated recruiting class, so there may be some help there. The projected backcourt seems pretty deep and talented, but there's not much other than Freemantle on the inside, at least on paper. Lots of credit to Miller if X achieves any more than a mid-pack league finish next year. Here's hoping.....

[xufan02]

Jerome Hunter averaged roughly 10ppg and 6rbs over the last 16 games without Freemantle. While shooting over 60% from the floor on less than 8 attempts per game. I could see Zach and Jerome both having great seasons as fifth year seniors.

[OmahaGuy]

POST-DEADLINE UPDATE:
Oof. Xavier lost 4 of their best players who either exhausted their eligibility (Boum and Kunkel) or declared for the pros (Nunge and Jones). Thankfully, the Musketeers kept a very good freshman in Claude, an excellent spark off the bench in Hunter and a proven veteran and great player in Freemantle. The X-Men will have a pretty new but a very talented team in the coming year. Very good HS recruiting class by getting Green, Swain and Ducharme (all 4-stars). They seem to have gotten some good players in the portal. McKnight was good at Western Kentucky, Olivari was good at Rice and Ousmane was the anchor of the North Texas defense, which was one of the best in the country. All 3 of those guys need to prove themselves in the Big East though. Then there's Duncomb. He didn't get much playing time at Indiana but suiting up for IU at all is a big deal. I think this Xavier team will experience growing pains at first but they'll get better as the season progresses. Sean Miller is a damn good ball coach.

[xufan02]

Xavier lands Lithiuania forward Gytis Nemeiksa. 21 yr old forward who was MVP of the NKL league, second highest league in the country. Looks like a solid pickup.

Also some optimism surrounding Jerome Hunter who had a cardiac event this summer. Testing has been good, more boxes to check however there.

[xufan02]

Xavier is in the Bahamas for a two game exhibition tour starting on Tuesday. They play the Vikes of Victoria University on Tuesday and the University of the Bahamas on Thursday.

Xavier will be without Freemantle, Hunter and Kam Craft due to injury. Also Gytis Nemeiksa is on the roster but got into Cincinnati on Friday and hasn't practiced yet with the team.

I'm looking forward to seeing the 4 transfers, 4 freshman, and Desmond Claude compete.

[Xudash]

Just announced from Rick Broering:

Xavier just landed a commitment from a 6-foot-10 big man from Serbia.

Lazar Djokovic is a 19-year-old with good mobility and length. He's a good passer and can shoot out to the 3-point line.

Immediately available. Could be a hedge play given the health issues with Freemantle and Hunter.

[xufan02]

This is commitment feels like an absolute steal in August. I'm not sure anyone who watches his tape could say otherwise. He can really really play, and has big time upside for a 19 year old.

https://youtu.be/gMWBml8q4CI