Quick Realities
Head Train: Sean Miller (very first period, kind of, as head trainer)
2021-22 Document: 23-13 (8-11 Big East)
2021-22 Big East coating: Seventh
Last 2021-22 KenPom.com Position: No. 53
2022-23 Big East Coaches Survey Position: 2nd
2022-23 KenPom Score: No. 38
2021-22 Evaluation
For the last two decades, it has actually been impressive to view Xavier basketball develop connection from instability. Deep runs in March were constantly adhered to by the trainer leaving for greener fields. Yet from Thad Matta to Sean Miller to Chris Mack, the Musketeers constantly appeared to toenail their substitute, every one of which were from within. Despite exactly how unskilled the then-assistant was, Xavier at some point refilled. It seemed like the Jesse Pinkman GIF in Damaging Bad:
Sadly, Xavier’s aide training tree was bound to create a weak branch eventually.
Travis Steele generated skill as well as was a nice sufficient man, however he never ever obtained the program to the NCAA Competition in his 4 years at the helm. The last straw was in 2015. The Musketeers were 11-1 on Dec. 18, with sway Ohio State, Virginia Technology as well as Cincinnati. They looked downright frightening as well as a genuine danger to Villanova. They after that continued to go down 8 of their last 10 video games as well as stumble right into the NIT. While Xavier collected itself as well as won the occasion, it was clear that Steele had not been taking full advantage of the significant skill on his lineup. He was tinned in March.
Dealing With an NCAA Competition dry spell of 4 years– uncommon for such a basketball-rich program– Xavier offered their heart as well as restored embattled previous trainer Sean Miller, the three-time Political action committee 12 Train of the Year that left Arizona with his tail in between his legs in April of 2021 amidst widespread corruption accusations. In Miller, the Muskies are currently relying on a various sort of connection to assist them refill once again.
2022-2023 Overview
Miller trained at Xavier from 2004 to 2009, putting together a document of 120– 47 to select 3 tickets to the Large Dancing as well as one Elite 8 look. For his 2nd go-round, he acquires a skilled, seasoned group that will certainly test for Big East superiority as well as is outfitted to go much in March. The Muskies were selected 2nd in the Big East preseason trainers survey, a shock however not a shock, provided the lineup make-up. Like UConn, they obtained elect the very first AP Top 25 survey.
There is significant inside-out equilibrium on the group, with seven-foot facility Jack Nunge as the ultimate stretch huge as well as 6-foot-6 junior combination guard Colby Jones as an all-around border visibility. Set those 2 preseason all-Big East skills with indoor bruiser Zach Freemantle as well as floor-spacing upperclassman Adam Kunkel, as well as the offending end has actually firepower backwards and forwards the lineup. Search for Jones– called the NIT’s a lot of important gamer– to tip right into the alpha function abandoned by Paul Scruggs.
Nunge’s array makes him a headache for somebody like Adama Sanogo; the Iowa transfer gathered 33 factors as well as 16 rebounds in both video games vs. the Huskies in 2015. He ended up the year 18th across the country in offending ranking as well as shot 36 percent from 3-point array.
In Between Nunge as well as Kunkel, one more plus-35% shooter from midtown, there’s rate as well as room throughout the lineup, as well as Miller is still among university’s finest in-game trainers. His obstacle will certainly get on the protective end, where Nunge can obtain subjected if dragged far from the paint, as well as point player, where the Muskies do not have a pass-first representative.
Miller likewise included Souley Boum in the transfer website, a 6-foot-3 graduate transfer that balanced practically 20 factors per video game at UTEP. Likewise watch on freshers Desmond Claude as well as Kam Kraft, 2 6-foot-5 guards that need to have the ability to protect as well as strike shots immediately as top-100 freshers.
Profits
You can not reject the lineup framework; Xavier can defeat you inside with Freemantle as well as Nunge, offered the previous isn’t being a knucklehead. They can ignite from outdoors with Kunkel, as well as Jones’ shot needs regard. There is dimension on the border as well as upperclassmen that are starving after a preference of postseason round. Miller is the sort of trainer to place every one of that with each other. Yet can Musketeers safeguard at a price that allows their infraction most likely to function?
There’s likewise the preconception of Xavier choking away NCAA event berths; the program has actually bailed out in the preliminary of the Big East event the last 3 years, which is an underperformance for the skill on the lineup. That kind of midseason turnaround sticks to a fanbase; Xavier can appear of evictions unbeaten as well as followers will certainly still be supporting for the meeting collapse.
