Busting Brackets
Fansided

Xavier Basketball: 3 reasons why the Musketeers will be better than Cincinnati in 2018-19

By Brian Rauf

CINCINNATI, OH - FEBRUARY 03: Members of the Xavier Musketeers celebrate after a four point play to tie the game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Cintas Center on February 3, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - FEBRUARY 03: Members of the Xavier Musketeers celebrate after a four point play to tie the game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Cintas Center on February 3, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
CINCINNATI, OH – FEBRUARY 28: Xavier Musketeers players celebrate after winning the Big East Conference regular season title with an 84-74 win over the Providence Friars at Cintas Center on February 28, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – FEBRUARY 28: Xavier Musketeers players celebrate after winning the Big East Conference regular season title with an 84-74 win over the Providence Friars at Cintas Center on February 28, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3) Xavier won’t miss a beat with Travis Steele

The Musketeers have an incredible track record when it comes to hiring new coaches. They’ve gone from Pete Gillen to Skip Prosser to Thad Matta to Sean Miller to Chris Mack, and now to Travis Steele.

Steele has been widely regarded as one of the best assistants in the country for some time now, having served on the staff at Xavier since 2008. He’s been a vital part of the program as they moved from A-10 power to Big East champions, helping guide eight teams to the NCAA Tournament.

Here’s how Xavier athletic director Greg Christopher described Steele when the decision to promote him became official.

"Travis has impacted the Xavier basketball program in a variety of ways during his time at Xavier, whether in the office, on the court or in recruiting. Travis brings passion, personality and organizational leadership skills to our head coaching position, which is really the CEO of our basketball program. He has earned a reputation as one of the brightest young offensive minds in the game and one of the future stars in this profession.”"

In terms of the 2018-19 team, Steele’s presence represents continuity from Mack’s tenure, as he will preach much of the same principles.

Teams off to hot starts in 2019 recruiting. dark. Next

The Musketeers won’t have to learn a new system or adjust to a new play style under their new head man, something that will help make the transition much smoother – and will keep their success coming.