NCAA Basketball: Gonzaga exposed, DePaul unbeaten among key takeaways

Xavier is almost healthy

Colby Jones is averaging 12.6 points per game and missed a game with a non-Covid illness, as well as the case with fellow starters Jerome Hunter and  Dieonte Miles. The interesting fact is that Miles is only starting due to the fact that Zach Freemantle has been out with a foot injury. Week four, however, could mark the week that the Xavier Muskateers return to full health and propel Travis Steels’ team as a Big East contender.

Even through the uncertainty of injuries, the Musketeers already hold victories over the Big Ten’s Ohio State and the ACC’s Virginia Tech. The victory over Virginia Tech will be important as the Muskateers lost their first game after being voted No.25 in the AP Poll.  The addition of the 6’9 Freemantle who averaged over 16 points to lead the Muskateers last season will provide a formidable frontcourt tandem with Iowa transfer Jack Nunge.

Nunge got his first after coming off his season-high twenty-four points and the illness to Hunter versus Iowa State. While the 10 additional minutes resulted in Nunge scoring just nine points in the victory, it does establish that Nunge can log starters minutes which will only be beneficial as the Musketeers get healthy and prepare to climb the ranks of the Big East.