Busting Brackets
Fansided

Xavier Basketball: Dahmir Bishop adds to talented 2019 class

By Brad Cavallaro

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 09: Xavier Musketeers fans are seen during a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Cintas Center on December 9, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Xavier won 96-69. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 09: Xavier Musketeers fans are seen during a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Cintas Center on December 9, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Xavier won 96-69. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 06: Naji Marshall #13 of the Xavier Musketeers reacts at the end of the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Xavier defeated Butler 98-93 in overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 06: Naji Marshall #13 of the Xavier Musketeers reacts at the end of the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Xavier defeated Butler 98-93 in overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Bishop’s fit in future Xavier rotations

If Marshall starts at the three or logs significant minutes there, Bishop will have an even tougher path to instant playing time. PF Dontarius James will be a sophomore and Zach Freemantle will be a freshman and they would be the two biggest beneficiaries of this arrangement.

However, I think Marshall will start at the four leaving the starting SF position up to a scoring wing in Elias Harden, a shooter Keontae Kennedy, and Bishop. Harden hardly played last year as a freshman, but he should have a legitimate opportunity to make the rotation this season.

Kennedy will compete with Harden for a rotation spot this season and the winner of that battle could emerge as a starter in 19-20. I think the most likely starting five is Goodin, Scruggs, Harden, Marshall, and Tyrique Jones, but we will have a better idea after this season.

You may ask why I’m projecting lineups this far into the future when so much can change, but it is a useful exercise nonetheless and it is something that Bishop and the Xavier staff had to consider and discuss before his commitment. Given the roster breakdown, Bishop’s path to consistent playing time looks promising, although starting as a freshman looks unlikely.