Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball: Five rising stars set for a big 2018-19 season

By Brian Foley

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 08: Phil Booth #5 of the Villanova Wildcats drives past Sam Hauser #10 of the Marquette Golden Eagles in the second half during quarterfinals of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 08: Phil Booth #5 of the Villanova Wildcats drives past Sam Hauser #10 of the Marquette Golden Eagles in the second half during quarterfinals of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Quentin Goodin #3 of the Xavier Musketeers reacts to the overtime loss to Providence Friars during semifinals of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Quentin Goodin #3 of the Xavier Musketeers reacts to the overtime loss to Providence Friars during semifinals of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

JR Quentin Goodin

2017-18: 18.3 percent usage rate
8.7 points, 6.8 FG att. (44.5 percent), 2.6 FT att. (79.1 percent), 2.3 turnovers

Xavier is in a transition period this year, but it doesn’t have to be a rebuilding season. Former assistant Travis Steele has been tabbed as Chris Mack’s replacement, and he has brought in several transfers that can provide immediate help following the departures of Trevon Blueitt, JP Macura, Sean O’Mara, and Kerem Kanter.

One crucial holdover is Goodin, who was second on the team in minutes a year ago and led the Musketeers in assists. Goodin is the clear point guard on this team, but now he must pick up more of the scoring load as well. His drive and kicks must also occasionally turn into drive and scores.

Goodin’s numbers from deep won’t blow you away, as he is just a 28 percent three-point shooter for his career. But during the final portion of the season last year, he showed off more of a shooter’s mentality. Over his final 14 games, Goodin shot 43.2 percent on 37 attempts, a far cry from his 12 percent clip on 26 tries in his first 21 games. Goodin probably won’t be one of the better shooters in the league next year, but that stretch run shows he is capable of knocking down an open look, which at least forces the defense to defend him honestly.

Goodin will probably post a usage rate closer to 25 percent in 2018-19. If he can finish with a Kamar Baldwin-esque stat line – good scoring and assist numbers with a respectable three-point percentage – Xavier’s offense may not take too much of a tumble sans Blueitt and co.

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