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Xavier Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Musketeers

By Lukas Harkins

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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CINCINNATI, OH – JANUARY 02: Marshall reacts. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – JANUARY 02: Marshall reacts. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Xavier basketball lost a ton of talent this offseason in addition to its head coach. This season will look much different but the Musketeers should still be solid.

Xavier basketball was, without a doubt, one of the best teams in the country throughout last season. Heading into the year, many thought that the Musketeers would be successful but maybe not to the level that they were. Led by a superb core of veterans, Xavier dominated opponents this last season en route to a 29-6 (15-3) record and a Big East regular-season title. For their efforts, the Musketeers were awarded a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Even though the team fell to Florida State in the second round of the Big Dance, fans should be able to look back and recognize just how amazing the season was. However, this season may be a bit more difficult. For the first time in what seems like forever, Trevon Bluiett and J.P. Macura will not be suiting up in the blue and white (as well as Sean O’Mara, Kerem Kanter, and Kaiser Gates). Additionally, former head coach Chris Mack will no longer be roaming the sidelines as he accepted the head job at Louisville this offseason.

So, it certainly seems as though Xavier will look a whole lot different this season. To make up for the key losses this offseason, newly promoted head coach Travis Steele snagged some high-level transfers to go along with the returning talent on the roster. Xavier was picked to finish sixth by Big East coaches on media day and this feels a bit low even with the major losses.

In this season preview, we will investigate a potential starting lineup for the Musketeers, the key reserves, and the non-conference schedule before diving into some preseason projections.