2020-2021 Record: 13-8 (6-7)
Probable Starters: Paul Scruggs, Nate Johnson, Colby Jones, Zach Freemantle, Jack Nunge
Bench: Adam Kunkel, Kyky Tandy, Jerome Hunter, Dwon Odom, Ben Stanley (ACL injury), Dieonte Miles, Cesare Edwards, Elijah Tucker, Zak Swetye, Ramon Singh, Spencer Cody
Xavier started off hot (8-0) but then trailed off and struggled the rest of season after COVID pauses (5-8 in their last 13), finishing 7th in the Big East and missing the tournament. They now look like a deep and experienced team particularly because Paul Scruggs and Nate Johnson opted to return for a fifth season. The Musketeers returns 81.1% of their minutes last season and added Iowa transfer Jack Nunge and Indiana transfer Jerome Hunter, giving the team even more size and experience.
Xavier has all the tools to be great this season, but I am still a little hesitant. Not much needs to be said about Paul Scruggs and Zach Freemantle. They will be a force to be reckoned with. Can their supporting cast get it done on both ends of the floor and can the team finally put together a season where the offense and defense are both consistently good? This hasn’t happened yet under Travis Steele, but this seems like the year for them to break through.
If Xavier is to click on offense, they need to be able to rely on some consistent shooting. Nate Johnson shot 45% from deep last. Can he replicate this success and more importantly can others like Kyky Tandy and Adam Kunkel become more consistent shooters and scorers off the bench? In his last season at Belmont, Kunkel shot 39% from beyond the arc on 6.5 attempts per game. However, last season in the Big East, he shot just 26.5% on 4.3 attempts per game. His improvement could go along way for the Xavier offense.
The additions of Jerome Hunter and Jack Nunge also provide the team with some nice options in the front court. Nunge will allow Freemantle to be a more versatile player as a stretch 4. I also think Nunge doesn’t get enough credit for what he did at Iowa. Yes, his numbers weren’t amazing, but keep in mind he was playing behind Luka Garza. Whenever Nunge came in though, he looked strong and decisive with the ball in his hands. I have him pegged as a day 1 start for Xavier, assuming he is healthy.
This depth will also allow Xavier to mix and match lineups by going small or big depending on their opponent. Similar to UConn’s starting lineup, I’m not really confident in my probably starters, but minutes distribution will be interesting to watch. I think Scruggs and Freemantle are obviously locks (and 3-point sniper Nate Johnson?), but beyond that, spots are up for grabs.
This is a good problem to have. If things go well for Xavier there is no reason they shouldn’t be a fringe top 25 team that makes the NCAA tournament at a minimum.