Big East Basketball: 10 biggest questions for league entering 2023-24 season
By Kyle Craib
Which team will experience the biggest fall from grace?
The Xavier Musketeers men’s basketball program has been a consistent force in the NCAA over the years, but no one anticipated how high they would rise in the 2022-23 season.
After stumbling through a trio of tough out of conference matchups against Indiana, Duke and Gonzaga, the Musketeers found a way to turn on the jets. The team strung together 11 consecutive wins, including a statement win over Marquette, to move up into eighth in the AP Top-25 Poll. However, as the schedule dwindled down, this team was unable to find a way to break through in the biggest moments.
As the calendars turn over to this year’s campaign, a new set of challenges have presented themselves. Key departures, coupled with a new-look lineup featuring an array of incoming transfers and freshmen, could lead the Musketeers down a path of regression this season.
Souley Boum’s unique mix of scoring and experience, along with Colby Jones’ contributions on both ends of the floor, will both be missed in the Musketeers’ backcourt this season. Also out the door is Adam Kunkel, who’s elite 42.5 three-point shooting percentage was a crucial part of the team’s offence last season. In the middle, 6’11” forward Jack Nunge has also departed. Despite never having the speed or athleticism to contain some of the Big East’s most explosive forwards, he proved to be a valuable asset on both ends of the floor during his two years with the team.
All in all, Xavier will have to manage without four of their top scorers who accounted for over 56 points of offence per game.
To fill these voids, Xavier welcomed several new additions to the roster. Notable transfers include Davion McKnight from Western Kentucky, Quincey Olivary from Rice, Logan Duncomb from Indiana, and Abou Ousmane from North Texas. While these players have shown potential, integrating them into the Musketeers’ system and achieving the same level effectiveness as those departing will be a challenging task.
Davion McKnight, a transfer from Western Kentucky, is expected to play a significant role, but replicating Souley Boum’s scoring output won’t be easy. Olivary and Duncomb bring depth and size, but it may take time for them to acclimate to Xavier’s playing style. Ousmane provides a versatile skill set, but meshing and finding a role within the team’s rotation may take some time.
In addition to transfers, Xavier also welcomes a plentiful group of freshmen, including Trey Green, Dailyn Swain, Reid Ducharme, Kachi Nzeh, and Sasa Ciani. While these young talents hold promise, the transition from high school to Division I basketball is always a significant leap. While the future may be bright, expecting immediate contributions from freshmen, especially in a competitive conference like the Big East, can be optimistic.
All eyes then fall to Zach Freemantle, the 6’9″ forward back for his final year in the NCAA. Last season with the Musketeers, Freemantle feasted on the interior notching 15.2 points alongside a staggering 8.2 rebounds per game. Now heading into a new season with a reshaped starting five surrounding him, the senior will need to play a pivotal role in this program’s success.
While Xavier’s new additions bring a renewed potential and a fresh identity to the team, the loss of key players make regression a legitimate concern for the 2023-24 season. Effective coaching, strong leadership, and a successful adaptation period can all help combat this, but Musketeer fans would be wise to exercise patience as the team navigates this transition.