Xavier Basketball: 2023-24 season preview for the Musketeers
Projected starting lineup
With no Freemantle and Hunter in the frontcourt, the focus quickly flips for the Musketeers to put their guards in the best position to make things happen. Dayvion McKnight and Quincy Olivari will be looked upon right away to hold their own in the backcourt while Abou Ousmane look to acclimate himself in the frontcourt. The wildcard ultimately becomes who will own the bulk of the minutes at the small/power forward.
Point Guard: Dayvion McKnight
McKnight is the first of a few new transfer portal additions who will be looked upon to make an impact for the Musketeers. He joins after earning second-team All-Conference USA honors with 16.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.8 apg and 1.8 spg as a junior. He’s a do-it-all guard who can potentially fill up the stat sheet at the lead guard spot for Xavier.
Shooting Guard: Quincy Olivari
Olivari is another addition out of the Conference USA’s Rice who should boost the perimeter attack with his shooting ability. He averaged 18.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.2 apg and 1.0 spg on 36.4 percent shooting from deep in 2022-23. He finished third in the conference this past season in 3-pointers made (94). He’ll be looked upon to lead the way in the backcourt off the ball.
Small Forward/Wing: Dailyn Swain
Swain joins the Musketeers out of the 2023 recruiting class ready to contribute right away. He was last year’s Ohio Division III Player of the Year for the second consecutive season while posting 18.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 7.5 apg, 3.5 spg and 3.2 bpg in his final year of high school ball. Look for him to make an impact right away with his length and versatility.
Power Forward: Gytis Nemeiska
With the frontcourt depth taking a major hit this offseason, look for the 6’7 forward to potentially start. Nemeiska is a skilled playmaker from Lithuania with experience that could help fill a few holes inside.
Center/Forward: Abou Ousmane
Ousmane is the final transfer portal addition who should contribute right away at the center spot. He’s a 6-foot-10 big man also out of Conference USA’s North Texas who was solid two-way presence in the Mean Green frontcourt in 2022-23. He averaged 11.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.3 bpg and 1.1 apg on 48.7 percent shooting from the floor. His presence should make up for Freemantle’s absence.