XAVIER MUSKETEERS NEWS

College basketball 2021-22: 36 takeaways heading into a new (normal) season

Andy Katz offers 36 takeaways for the 2021-22 men's college hoops season, including the teams, players and coaches to watch.

OCTOBER 26, 2021

Zach Freemantle - Remains in boot Freemantle (foot) didn't suit up at Xavier's "Musketeer Madness" scrimmage Friday, Adam Baum of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact According to Markus Walters of WKTY-TV, Freemantle continues to sport crutches and a walking boot. Few details of the injury have been reported other than the fact that Freemantle is "week-to-week," and his next chance to take the court will be an exhibition matchup against Ferris State on Nov. 5. Given the Musketeers won't face any major challenges in the schedule until Nov. 18 against Ohio State, it wouldn't be too surprising to see a conservative approach taken here, though any estimates of a return date are merely speculative at this point. Still, any absence from last year's leading scorer (16.1 ppg) will undoubtedly sting, especially with fellow frontcourt player Jack Nunge (knee) sidelined as well.

OCTOBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jack Nunge - Resumes full-contact practice Nunge (knee) resumed full-contact drills in practice this week, Adam Baum of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Nunge isn't suiting up in Xavier's scrimmage Friday, but he's making progress in his recovery from a torn meniscus that he sustained in February. Coach Travis Steele recently said that Nunge will likely be available for the team's exhibition game against Ferris State on Nov. 5.

OCTOBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

All-opponent team: The best players Cincinnati will face this season A look at the top opponents UC will play during the 2021-22 season.

OCTOBER 22, 2021 • CINCINNATI.COM

Jerome Hunter - Seeing first-team reps Hunter has been operating as the first-team power forward early in practice, Adam Baum of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Hunter showed notable improvement across the board between his first and second season at Indiana, but elected to transfer following the departure of coach Archie Miller. He finds himself in favorable circumstances with Xavier early, as Zach Freemantle (foot) and Jack Nunge (knee) are both working their way back from injury. That's left Hunter with first-team reps, though coach Travis Steele sees him as more of a guard who can play forward, even on the defensive end. Even when the Musketeers return to full strength, it looks like Hunter has earned his spot in the rotation.

OCTOBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Elijah Tucker - Taking redshirt season Tucker will take a redshirt for the 2021-22 season, Adam Baum of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact It seems Tucker fell ill this summer, and the undisclosed condition was serious enough that he's still not at 100 percent. Given he needs time to put weight on and improve his conditioning, the team felt a redshirt will be the best way to go. He'll have four seasons of eligibility beginning in the 2022-23 campaign.

OCTOBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dieonte Miles - Could see more run early on Head coach Travis Steele is going to give Miles (knee) an early look at the five spot, Adam Baum of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Miles missed 12 of Xavier's last 13 game of the 2020-21 season due to a knee injury, but it appears he's back to practicing in a full capacity, earning the "Xavier Way" award (aka gold jersey) last week. On top of that, Miles finds himself in a situation where two of his fellow frontcourt players are not fully healthy. Preseason all-Big East forward Zach Freemantle was recently spotted in a walking boot, while Iowa transfer Jack Nunge continues to work his way back from a second major knee surgery. It's possible Miles could be one of the only true centers available for Friday's team scrimmage, and the team will get a longer look at him in a Nov. 5 exhibition against Ferris State. Should either Nunge or Freemantle get held out early, Miles could be a sneaky add in daily and Big East-only formats.

OCTOBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jack Nunge - Still not full-contact Nunge (knee) continues to be held out of full-contact, five-on-five drills, Adam Baum of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Nunge was once thought to be "close" to a return in late-August, but that simply hasn't come to pass. It appears Xavier will continue to stay cautious given this is the second major knee injury of the seven-footer's career. When the Musketeers are at full strength, Nunge and Zach Freemantle (foot) will likely be manning the frontcourt. Until then, it seems Dieonte Miles will be asked to take on an expanded role. Coach Travis Steele already ruled Nunge out of Friday's team scrimmage, but did acknowledge that he'll probably see the court a bit in a Nov. 5 exhibition against Ferris State.

OCTOBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Zach Freemantle - Sports walking boot at media day Freemantle was spotted in a walking boot at Tuesday's Big East media day, Adam Zagoria of the New York Times reports.

Impact According to coach Travis Steele, Freemantle should be considered "week-to-week," as the team doesn't wish to rush him back (via Adam Baum of the Cincinnati Enquirer). Steele went on to say, "Anytime with any injuries to your foot, especially because it's not too serious right now, we just want to be patient, make sure we're dealing with it right." Freemantle picked up first-team all-Big East preseason honors during Tuesday's media day, coming off a season in which he posted 16.1 points and 8.9 rebounds to earn co-most improved player in the league. He and Jack Nunge are expected to take on a good chunk of the frontcourt minutes this season, but with Nunge battling back from a knee injury of his own, it appears Dieonte Miles will get early looks at the five for the Musketeers. Based on these circumstances, it seems Freemantle won't be ready for Friday's team scrimmage, so the next chance we'll have to get a look will be an exhibition matchup Nov. 5 against Ferris State.

OCTOBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

VIDEO: Xavier basketball at Big East Media Day Xavier's Travis Steele, Colby Jones, Paul Scruggs and Zach Freemantle spoke to The Enquirer at Big East Media Day on Oct. 19, 2021.

OCTOBER 19, 2021 • CINCINNATI.COM

Big East basketball: Jared Rhoden, Zach Freemantle defied expectations Seton Hall's Rhoden and Xavier's Freemantle, a Bergen Catholic grad, were named preseason All-Big East. Both were 3-star recruits.

OCTOBER 19, 2021 • APP.COM

The 12 best players the Xavier Musketeers will face on the basketball court this season A look at the top opponents Xavier will play during the 2021-22 season including Julian Champagnie, Collin Gillespie and E.J. Liddell.

OCTOBER 18, 2021 • CINCINNATI.COM

All-opponent team: The best players Xavier will face this season A look at the top opponents Xavier will play during the 2021-22 season.

OCTOBER 18, 2021 • CINCINNATI.COM

Iowa State drops Xavier Foster from team after assault claim

Iowa State says center Xavier Foster is no longer a member of the team as police investigate a sexual assault claim

OCTOBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gillen, Elmore, Lieberman to be honored with Lapchick Award

Pete Gillen, Len Elmore and Nancy Lieberman will be this year’s recipients of the Joe Lapchick Character Award

AUGUST 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Maryland adds Old Dominion transfer Xavier Green

Xavier Green is transferring to Maryland after five seasons at Old Dominion

JULY 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Enquirer "The little stuff matters a whole bunch more." Freshman Cesare Edwards has adapted nicely just three weeks into his Xavier basketball career.

JULY 8, 2021 • CINCINNATI.COM

Four-star wing Christian Wastson is down to eight options Christian Watson breaks down his final 8

JULY 5, 2021 • 247SPORTS.COM

Oklahoma State to host Xavier for Big East-Big 12 Battle Hoops Showdown The Oklahoma State men's basketball team will face Xavier as a part of the Big East-Big 12 Battle on Dec. 5 in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

JUNE 2, 2021 • STWNEWSPRESS.COM

Xavier Musketeers qualify for the Big East baseball tournament this week at Prasco Park The Big East Conference baseball tournament returns this week to Prasco Park. Xavier, UConn, Creighton and Seton Hall will battle for an NCA...

MAY 24, 2021 • CINCINNATI.COM

Xavier Brown updates his recruitment, talks Wisconsin Wisconsin is one of the schools recruiting the three-star prospect the hardest.

APRIL 26, 2021 • 247SPORTS.COM

Offseason update: Xavier men's basketball promotes assistant coach Jonas Hayes A few offseason notes, none more important than the fact that Assistant Coach Jonas Hayes has been elevated to Xavier's Associate Head Coach...

APRIL 19, 2021 • CINCINNATI.COM

Ben Johnson to be named Gophers men's basketball coach The Xavier assistant coach and former Minnesota player, who spent five seasons as an assistant coach under Richard Pitino, is on his way bac...

MARCH 22, 2021 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Mike Bass column: Xavier a 'nightmare'? UC in 'tatters'? Fans react to a new madness. Selection Sunday became Dejection Sunday in the Queen City.

MARCH 18, 2021 • CINCINNATI.COM

NCAA Tournament Selection Special: Get in on the Madness with FOX Bet's Super 6

It's time for the reveal of the NCAA Tournament bracket, and you can get in on the Madness and win big with FOX Bet's Super 6.

MARCH 14, 2021