XAVIER MUSKETEERS NEWS

Johnson scores 24 to carry Xavier past C. Michigan 78-45

Nate Johnson scored 24 points and Xavier easily handled Central Michigan 78-45

DECEMBER 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Zach Freemantle - Makes season debut Freemantle (foot) didn't score (0-2 FG) but added one assist during Wednesday's win over Central Michigan.

Impact The junior center made his season debut after recovering from foot surgery and logged six minutes of action. Xavier will likely ease Freemantle back into the rotation, as the center was a key contributor last season averaging 16.1 points and 8.9 rebounds.

DECEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Zach Freemantle - In uniform Wednesday Freemantle (foot) was seen in uniform ahead of Wednesday's game against Central Michigan, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.

Impact Freemantle is expected to see the floor in some capacity during Wednesday's game. He was just recently medically cleared for all basketball related activities due to an offseason foot surgery. Freemantle will not be in the starting lineup Wednesday.

DECEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dieonte Miles - Returning from illness Miles (illness) is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Central Michigan, Adam Baum of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Miles was one of three Xavier players that were held out with a non-COVID related illness last week against Virginia Tech. Miles will hope to take advantage of Zach Freemantle likely being on a minutes restriction.

DECEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Colby Jones - In starting five Jones (illness) is back in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Central Michigan, Adam Baum of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Jones sat out the previous contest due to illness but is back in the fold in his regular capacity Wednesday. Given the minimal absence required, Jones should be in line to handle his usual role of 30-plus minutes. He enters the night coming off of back-to-back double-doubles in his last appearances.

DECEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jerome Hunter - Returns to starting five Hunter (knee) is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Central Michigan, Adam Baum of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Hunter did not play in last week's game against Virginia Tech due to a non-COVID related illness. He should play his normal minutes in Wednesday's contest.

DECEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Zach Freemantle - Could debut Wednesday Freemantle (foot) could take the floor for a limited season debut Wednesday versus Central Michigan, Adam Baum of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Freemantle was given full medical clearance late last week and appears finally ready to see some live game action. Considering the opponent, his injury location and his extended absence, Freemantle figures to be pretty limited in his first showing of the 2021-22 campaign. That should gradually expand as he continues to build on his conditioning, assuming he avoids setbacks along the way.

DECEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

C. Michigan visits Xavier

Xavier plays Central Michigan in a non-conference matchup

NOVEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nate Johnson - Pivotal effort against Hokies Johnson produced 30 points (10-14 FG, 7-11 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three rebounds and two steals in 40 minutes during Friday's 59-58 victory over Virginia Tech.

Impact Xavier was down three key rotation pieces due to an illness that's been going around the team, which resulted in Johnson playing all 40 minutes and attempting the most shots of any game this season. The senior is on track for his most efficient year yet, as he's on pace to improve his shooting percentage a full eight percentage points from a season ago.

NOVEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Zach Freemantle - Gains full clearance Freemantle (foot) has been medically cleared to return to all basketball activities, Adam Baum of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Freemantle surprised many by suiting up and participating in warmups Friday, though last year's starting center ultimately didn't get into the game. It sounds like it may be a matter of conditioning, but coach Travis Steele did say Freemantle will be on the court for Xavier's next practice. The Musketeers do have a bit of a break before their next game, scheduled for Dec. 1 against Central Michigan, but it's probably too early to tell what Freemantle's availability might look like for that contest.

NOVEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Nate Johnson - Unleashes 30 points Johnson racked up 30 points (10-14 FG, 7-11 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three rebounds and two steals in 40 minutes during Friday's 59-58 victory over Virginia Tech.

Impact Johnson was peerless, he recorded a career-high in points when no other Xavier player cracked double-digits. He scored the game-winning bucket with under one minute remaining, just in case it was in doubt just whose game this was. The senior is comfortable in the driver's seat, as this was his second game above 10 attempts this season. Xavier will seek to provide him support to turn nail-biters into landslides going forward, starting with the Chippewas on Wednesday.

NOVEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Eason, LSU beat Penn St. in OT at Emerald Coast Classic

Tari Eason went 7 of 8 from the free-throw line after regulation and finished with 20 points, Xavier Pinson scored all of his 15 points after halftime and LSU beat Penn State 68-63...

NOVEMBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

No. 25 Xavier escapes Virginia Tech behind Johnson's 30 Nate Johnson scored 30 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 25 seconds left, and No. 25 Xavier beat Virginia Tech 59-58 in the cons...

NOVEMBER 27, 2021 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

No. 25 Xavier escapes Virginia Tech behind Johnson's 30

Nate Johnson scored 30 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 25 seconds left, and No. 25 Xavier beat Virginia Tech 59-58 in the consolation game of the NIT Season Tip-Off

NOVEMBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Xavier vs Virginia Tech Prediction, Odds, Spread, Line & Over/Under for Nov. 26 College Basketball Game Xavier vs Virginia Tech Basketball Game Info No. 25 Xavier Musketeers (4-1) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (5-1) Date: Friday, November 26, 2021 T...

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

Game Preview: Virginia Tech against #25 Xavier A preview of Virginia Tech against #25 Xavier on Friday, November 26th at 7 PM on ESPN 2.

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 • 247SPORTS.COM

Adam Kunkel - Ready to play Kunkel (illness) will play Friday against Virginia Tech, Adam Baum of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Kunkel is one of four Xavier players battling a non-COVID illness. He's the only one expected to suit up, with Colby Jones, Jerome Hunter and Dieonte Miles all expected to miss the game.

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jerome Hunter - Not expected to play Hunter (illness) doesn't appear to be available Friday against Virginia Tech, Adam Baum of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Hunter is one of three Xavier players who are expected to miss the game with a non-COVID illness. The team's next game doesn't come until Wednesday against Central Michigan, so he has time to get healthy and suit up for that one.

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Zach Freemantle - Warming up Friday Freemantle (foot) warmed up prior to Friday's game against Virginia Tech, Adam Baum of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Freemantle has been out all season while working his way back from foot surgery. Previous reports from early November indicated that he was targeting a return at the start of December. Whether or not he'll actually get into Friday's game and what role he'd play if he does remain to be seen, but it's undoubtedly a good sign that he's at least able to warm up.

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jerome Hunter - Will be game-time decision Hunter will be a game-time decision Friday against Virginia Tech due to a non-COVID illness, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.

Impact Xavier will likely be without Colby Jones and Dieonte Miles due to a non-COVID illness, while Hunter and Adam Kunkel are both expected to be game-time decisions for the same reason. If Hunter is unavailable, then Jack Nunge will likely see an increased role against the Hokies on Friday.

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Adam Kunkel - Questionable Friday Kunkel (illness) is a game-time decision for Friday's game against Virginia Tech, Adam Baum of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Kunkel missed Wednesday's matchup with Virginia Tech, and his availability remains up in the air for Friday. Colby Jones and Dieonte Miles are expected to sit out, while Jerome Hunter is also questionable. All four players are dealing with a non-COVID illness.

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dieonte Miles - Unlikely to play Friday Miles (illness) likely won't play Friday against Virginia Tech, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.

Impact Miles and Colby Jones are both unlikely to play due to a non-COVID illness, while Adam Kunkel and Jerome Hunter will both be game-time decisions for the same reason. If Miles and Jones are unavailable, then Nate Johnson and Jack Nunge are both likely candidates to join the starting lineup.

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE