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Xavier Basketball: Musketeers add Paul Scruggs to loaded 2017 class

By Carmine Carcieri

Mar 18, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Xavier Musketeers head coach Chris Mack looks on during the first half of the game in the first round against the Weber State Wildcats in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Xavier Musketeers head coach Chris Mack looks on during the first half of the game in the first round against the Weber State Wildcats in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Thanks to the addition of Paul Scruggs, Xavier basketball has a top-10 recruiting class in 2017.

Since moving into the Big East in 2013, Xavier head coach Chris Mack has molded the Musketeers into one of the more consistent programs in the entire nation. They have made three straight NCAA Tournaments, made the Sweet 16 two years ago and have become the second fiddle to Villanova atop the Big East standings.

Related Story: Kentrevious Jones commits to Xavier

The Musketeers’ success on the floor is turning the heads of many high school prospects across the nation. Xavier had four high quality recruits who already verbally committed to the school for the class of 2017, but on Friday, the Big East program reeled in their top target for next year.

2017 four-star guard Paul Scruggs announced his decision, choosing the Musketeers over Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue and Washington, among others. To beat some blue blood programs like the Jayhawks and Spartans, Xavier has to be pleased with the overall progress of their program.

https://twitter.com/the1paulscruggs/status/787033072810143744

Xavier now has five commitments in their class of 2017, which is now ranked 8th overall nationally, according to Scout.com. Four-star shooting guard Elias Harden, four-star small forwards Naji Marshall and Jared Ridder, and three-star center Kentrevious Jones have been at the center of this recruiting group before yesterday news.

Scruggs is now one of the most highly rated talents ever to commit to the Musketeers. He is ranked 28th in ESPN’s top 100, is the 3rd best player in the state of Indiana and is labeled as the 5th best point guard in the class of 2017.

With current Xavier point guard Edmond Sumner looking at a breakout season and the potential to launch himself into the NBA conversation, Mack’s addition of Scruggs will help replace Sumner if he does indeed dash for the professional ranks following the 2016-17 season. If he doesn’t, Scruggs could either backup Sumner or play alongside him at the two-position.

The 6’4″, 180 pound guard is powerful, aggressive and tough. He loves to attack the basket, where he can finish around the rim and play through contact. He’s labeled a lead guard, but because of his size and physical mentality, Scruggs is capable of playing both backcourt positions.

Scruggs will have to clean up his decision making and shooting ability (from both mid-range and beyond the arc).However, he also has the potential on the defensive end of the floor, as he uses his strength and motor to body up opponents and create turnovers on the perimeter.

Next: Three burning questions for UNC

Xavier doesn’t just have the best class in the Big East in 2017. Instead, they have one of the best classes in the nation. If Musketeer fans think the program has been consistent over the course of the last three years, the next few will only help spark the narrative of Xavier basketball.