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Xavier Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Musketeers

By Lukas Harkins

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 08: Quentin Goodin #3 and Paul Scruggs #1 of the Xavier Musketeers look on in the second half of the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena on December 8, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati won 62-47. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 08: Quentin Goodin #3 and Paul Scruggs #1 of the Xavier Musketeers look on in the second half of the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena on December 8, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati won 62-47. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – FEBRUARY 24: Jones of Xavier celebrates. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – FEBRUARY 24: Jones of Xavier celebrates. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Projected Starting Frontcourt

Naji Marshall | 6-foot-7 | 220 lbs | Junior

Xavier’s most important player for this campaign will definitely be Naji Marshall. The returning 6-foot-7 forward simply does it all for the Musketeers as their All-Conference star. Although he struggled with some injuries last season, Marshall still put together a sensational campaign and is back to wreak havoc on the nation during his junior season. He averaged 14.7 points (.394/.277/.722), 7.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game last season and will be hungry to reach the NCAA Tournament after a one-year hiatus.

Even though Myles Powell and Markus Howard are the preseason favorites for the Big East Player of the Year award, it would be a mistake to overlook Marshall as a potential contender. Marshall’s two-way impact on the Musketeers is almost unmatched in the conference as he pushes the team to new heights on both ends of the floor. He needs to stay healthy in order for Xavier to reach its goals this season.

Jason Carter | 6-foot-8 | 227 lbs | Junior

Transfers played a significant role in Xavier’s frontcourt last season. Most notably, Zach Hankins was a fan-favorite and high-energy big man while Ryan Welage filled the role of a stretch forward with his elite 3-point shooting abilities. Both players departed after the campaign, though, and it seems likely that grad transfer Jason Carter will be tasked with filling both of their roles. The former Ohio Bobcat is a versatile offensive threat and exhibits qualities of both Hankins and Welage.

He can score in the paint, shoot it from distance, and helps move the ball with his passing as well. As a result, he seems like the perfect fit in Xavier’s frontcourt. Over the course of last season with Ohio, Carter posted averages of 16.5 points (.481/.343/.718), 6.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. He will not be a focal point of the offense with the Musketeers but should still be a capable scorer. Watch for Carter to be one of the most impactful transfers in the Big East.

Tyrique Jones | 6-foot-9 | 239 lbs | Senior

Tyrique Jones is a physical interior presence poised to be an anchor for Xavier this season. Arguably the most underrated player on this roster, Jones is a potential All-Big East caliber and that should be on display this season. The 6-foot-9 rising senior averaged 11.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season and could be poised for an even bigger role this time around. In the absence of Hankins, though, Jones will be forced to be Xavier’s primary big man. It will be interesting to see if he is able to thrive in that role after mostly playing power forward last year.