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Xavier at Oklahoma State: 2021-22 key storylines for non-conference matchup

By Trevor Sinodhinos

Nov 18, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Paul Scruggs (1) dribbles against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half at Cintas Center. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Paul Scruggs (1) dribbles against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half at Cintas Center. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Xavier Musketeers forward Zach Freemantle Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Xavier Musketeers forward Zach Freemantle Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /

Zach Freemantle

The Musketeers’ leading scorer from the 2020-21 season Zach Freemantle participated in his first game of the season versus Central Michigan after missing the Musketeers’ previous six games as he recovered from foot surgery. In 22 games last season the 6’9 forward averaged 16 points and nine rebounds while being named the Big East Most Improved Player. In his first game back this season Freemantle logged six minutes and went 0-2.

How much Freemantle will play versus Oklahoma State is unknown since Head Coach Travis Steele has every incentive to progress the All-Big East Second Team member as slowly as needed in preparation for conference play. Even a quasi-effective Freemantle would not only bolster their starting line-up but their bench as Dieonte Miles returns and Jack Nunge backups – but outproduces-  Jerome Hunter. The Musketeers’ bench is already more than adequate as they contributed 32 points versus Ohio State and 34 versus Iowa State.

A productive Freemantle could also tip the scales in Xavier’s favor as second-chance points are a source of point production that has been inconsistent for the Musketeers as well as the Cowboys have been preventing second-chance points. Versus an undersized Ohio State team the Musketeers tallied up just nine second-chance points, yet won the game. Versus Iowa State, the Musketeers scored 21 second-chance points yet ended up on the losing end.

For all the benefits that Freemantle affords the Musketeers, the storyline will be the progression he takes in this game in the form of minutes played. For it is his ability to increase his workload while staying healthy that will ultimately determine if this story ends happily.

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