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Basketball Preview Special Volume CVII Issue 15 November 23, 2020 xaviernewswire.com Published by the students of Xavier University since 1915 Fiat justitia, ruat caelum ;DYLHUXSVRႇHQVHZLWKQHZFRPHUV Scruggs and Freemantle to lead seven recruits, transfers on the court BY JOE CLARK Sports News Editor Xavier men’s basketball brings in seven newcomers to a roster that has a lot of returning talent, and they should be in line for an NCAA tournament appearance this season. Xavier was projected to fin- ish seventh in the Big East at the conference’s annual Media Day. “We’re excited to get this year going. Obviously with all the uncertainty that’s been going on last March, they’re really, really excited to get the season going,” Xavier Head Coach Travis Steele said at Media Day. “The Big East is going to be a tough confer- ence again this year, as it al- ways is.” Xavier is implementing a new offensive system this year, one that relies more on pe- rimeter shooting and is faster Photo courtesy of @xaviermbb on Instagram from what Xavier played the Men’s basketball Head Coach Travis Steele brings in seven newcomers, including three freshmen and four transfers. The musketeers new-look last two years under Steele. roster will look to play more up-tempo in their new offensive. The newcomers will be lead by senior Paul Scruggs and sophomore Zach Freemantle. “Last year we were really fense. He can shoot from the blue-white scrimmage, and Freemantle was a serious start at power forward, and good on defense but offen- perimeter, but he’s probably at he’s somebody who could inside-out threat at the end he’ll probably be the best de- sively, we struggled a lot, we his best in the midrange game. definitely improve and play of last season, and from what fensive player for Xavier. He’s couldn’t really shoot,” said He’s also talented on de- a bigger role throughout the he’s shown in the scrimmages flashed offensive prowess be- sophomore captain Zach Free- fense, and he could be a day course of the season. that hasn’t changed. He has fore, and he will definitely mantle. “This year, we have one starter for the team. Stanley and Kunkel both potential to be Xavier’s lead- contribute on the offensive way more options, so I think Wilcher is probably the have yet to be issued waivers ing scorer and biggest weapon side of the ball, but his de- we’ll be a lot more expanded best shooter out of the three by the NCAA for immedi- offensively this year, it’s tough fense really stands out. With- on offense.” freshmen, and he’s a tough ate eligibility, but the two of to cover a guy who can shoot out a ton of frontcourt depth, A big reason Xavier has player who doesn’t let up de- them are serious difference from the perimeter, score at Carter will be extremely im- more options this year is their fensively. makers if they get on the floor will inside and put the ball on portant for Xavier this year. 2020 recruiting class and Nate Johnson, Bryan Grif- for Xavier this year. the floor and drive. The last returner likely to transfers. Dwon Odom, Colby fin, Ben Stanley and Adam Kunkel is a serious threat Scruggs will be a good fa- see minutes this year is Die- Jones and C.J. Wilcher all have Kunkel join Xavier as trans- from long-range and was one cilitator for Xavier this year onte Miles. Miles didn’t play the capability to become reli- fers. of the best players on a good and his ability to shoot from last season, but his length and able scorers for Xavier, and all Johnson comes from Gard- Belmont team last season. the perimeter and drive will ability to run the floor at 6 three will likely play a good ner-Webb, where he was a Stanley averaged 22 points be key for the Musketeers. foot 10 inches will make him amount their freshman year. reliable scorer and a solid de- per game last season at However, he may play off-ball a tough matchup. Miles will Odom is explosive off the fender. He’ll get some solid Hampton, and Travis Steele if sophomore KyKy Tandy likely see significant minutes dribble and a fantastic creator. run for Xavier this year, and said that Stanley is “Big East starts at point guard. off the bench for Xavier early His jump shot could improve, he could be a difference maker tough.” He’ll be a good pres- Tandy is one of the best on, and him and Griffin will but he’s extremely skilled at on both sides of the ball. ence on the interior for the pure shooters on Xavier’s ros- compete for time throughout getting to the rim and making Griffin is a big man from Musketeers on both sides of ter, and he’s shown an ability the season. plays around the basket. Division II Mercy College. the ball, and he can stretch the to distribute the ball and make 2020-21 has the potential Jones is a reliable offen- While he needs to speed up to floor and be a threat from the plays in transition. He came to be a really good year for sive weapon whose versatil- the D1 game, he’s a high-level perimeter. off the bench his freshman Xavier men’s basketball, as ity and court vision are his rebounder who could eat some As for Xavier’s returners year, but if Tandy starts this they’ll look to surprise some strengths offensively. He has bench minutes for Xavier. from last year, Freemantle year he could see a big jump in people and make a run in the an extremely high basketball Griffin did have a dou- and Paul Scruggs will lead the production. Big East and potentially to an IQ and doesn’t force in the of- ble-double in Xavier’s second charge offensively. Senior Jason Carter will NCAA Tournament berth. In this issue... Page 2-3 Page 5 Page 6 The Back Page Check out the men’s Details on the Xavier See how the Muskies We all know where and women’s Invitational multi-team PHDVXUHXSLQWKH%LJ WKHUHDO¿JKWHUVWKLV schedules and lineups. event in December. East conference. season: the mascots. 2 November 23, 2020 Sports @NewswireSports Previewing men’s 2020 schedule BY GRACE CARLO After the Oklahoma game, 6WDৼ:ULWHU the Musketeers begin Big At the beginning of the East play on Dec. 12 when 2020-21 academic semester there was they travel to Providence to little hope that Xavier would take on the Friars. Schedule have a basketball season this Providence brings back Big East games in bold year. Despite the season get- star guard David Duke and ting pushed back, there willl reliable big Nate Watson. be a college basketball sea- Xavier lost to Providence on Date Opponent son. the road last season. 11/25 Oakland (Xavier Xavier is coming off of a The Muskies are then back Invitational) 19-13 season, with an 8-10 at home on Dec. 15 to play Se- record in the Big East. With ton Hall, who added Harvard 11/26 Bradley (Xavier the NCAA season getting grad transfer Bryce Aiken to Invitiational) cut short last year due to their roster this year. 11/27 Toledo (Xavier Invi COVID-19, the team is get- Newswire photo by Desmond Fischer On Dec. 18, Xavier travels tational) ting ready to be able to com- Sophomore forward Zach Freemantle is expected to be one of Xavier’s north to Chicago to play De- pete again. best players this season. Freemantle was recently named a captain. Paul at 2 p.m. on a Friday af- 11/30 Eastern Kentucky Led by senior Paul secutive days. on Dec. 6 when they take on ternoon. Following that, they Scruggs and sophomore Bradley will likely be the Cincinnati in the Crosstown host Marquette on Dec. 20 at 12/2 Tennessee Tech Zach Freemantle, the Mus- toughest team Xavier plays in Shootout. Cintas. 12/6 at Cincinnati (Cross keteers will likely play a the MTE, but the Musketeers The 2020 shootout looked Finally, the last scheduled town Shootout) more up-tempo style of bas- will be heavy favorites in all to be in danger earlier this game of 2020 is on the road ketball this year. three games. year, with Xavier and Cincin- in Omaha as Xavier plays 12/9 vs Oklahoma (Big Originally, Xavier was On Monday, Nov. 30 at nati unable to agree to terms, Creighton. Creighton will East-Big 12 Challenge) scheduled to play in the 7 p.m., Xavier will face off but the two teams decided likely compete with Villano- 12/12 at Providence Orlando Invitiational, but against Eastern Kentucky. the game would be played as va as the top team in the Big the Musketeers pulled out Xavier last played the Col- scheduled at Fifth Third Bank East this season, so that game 12/15 vs Seton Hall due to travel concerns with onels on Dec.