:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48505611/usa-today-9031398.0.jpg)
Hello, Johnnies fans! I think we all recognize that this kind of isn't your year right now, but hang in there! Things will probably turn around soon/eventually. We went through a coaching transition a few years back. There were some rocky moments, but it's turning out okay for us. As long as your first recruiting classes under the new guy don't bomb out, things should be fine. Enough about the future though; here's some information far more pertinent in the present.
Xavier personnel
| NO. | NAME | YR. | POS. | HT. | WT. | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STARTERS | ||||||||||||
| 15 | Myles Davis | Jr. | G | 6'2" | 188 | 10.4 | 3.2 | 3.3 | .402 | .387 | .939 | A natural shooting guard deputizing at the point. Best shooter on the team and their emotional leader. Not afraid of the big moment on the offensive end. |
| 10 | Remy Abell | Sr. | G | 6'4" | 197 | 7.9 | 1.5 | 2.4 | .440 | .382 | .780 | At his most effective when he lets open shots come to him. Doesn't need to score much to help the team. Very good on-ball defender. Dropped 21 on Butler, I guess just to prove he can. |
| 5 | Trevon Bluiett | So. | G/F | 6'6" | 208 | 14.3 | 7.1 | 2.0 | .411 | .405 | .756 | Versatile scorer who can get a lot of baskets without forcing his way into the game. Great at using one dribble to set his feet and make space for his jumper. Has worked hard to improve defense and rebounding. |
| 1 | Jalen Reynolds | Jr. | F | 6'10" | 238 | 10.1 | 6.2 | 0.7 | .535 | .667 | .680 | Has the skills to go for 18 and 12 at any point in time, but has trouble getting out of his own way. Disruptive defensive force in the middle of the 1-3-1 zone. At his best with Farr also on the court. |
| 2 | James Farr | Sr. | F/C | 6'10" | 244 | 10.5 | 8.6 | 0.4 | .550 | .000 | .730 | The best rebounder in college basketball. Has developed scoring moves to both hands on the post. Very effective in protecting the rim. Had been coming off the bench until last game. |
| RESERVES | ||||||||||||
| 0 | Larry Austin Jr. | So. | G | 6'2" | 179 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.3 | .333 | .000 | .538 | Can be an effective change of pace guard if he harnesses his energy. Can be a turnover-laden catastrophe if he doesn't. |
| 4 | Edmond Sumner | Fr. | G | 6'6" | 183 | 11.0 | 3.2 | 3.1 | .449 | .406 | .685 | Ed didn't make the trip to St. John's due to a fall he took in the Villanova game. That's a shame, because he might be our most exciting player. |
| 13 | Makindé London | Fr. | F | 6'10" | 220 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.6 | .286 | .333 | .500 | Athletic but whip thin. Good shot blocker as help defender. Good range on his jumper. |
| 22 | Kaiser Gates | Fr. | F | 6'8" | 217 | 3.1 | 2.4 | 0.1 | .333 | .313 | .800 | Stretch four. Not afraid to shoot. Very active on defense. Hit a couple of big threes against Butler. |
| 54 | Sean O'Mara | So. | F/C | 6'10" | 247 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 0.3 | .593 | .000 | .615 | Plays below the rim but with exceptional feel. Growing into some confidence on the offensive end. Bully on the defensive glass. |
| 55 | J.P. Macura | So. | G | 6'5" | 203 | 8.9 | 2.6 | 2.0 | .459 | .300 | .791 | Always gives huge effort. Big time shooter in high school, but more effective inside the arc right now. Has a reputation for chippiness that he has largely earned. |
Xavier strategy
Xavier has been doing pretty doggone well on both ends of the floor, but defense is what is really defining this team. X will run a 1-3-1 designed more to disrupt flow that force turnovers, but the team has a lot of length and guys with active hands, so the turnovers come. The main defensive look is a pack line man. Both defenses rebound very well, but both have a real problem in that they basically concede the arc.
On offense, the biggest asset the team has is versatility. When the whole team is healthy, there are half a dozen guys who can hurt you if left alone. It's a good shooting team, but not a great one by any means. They share the ball well, get to the line, and really get after it on the glass.
Other things to consider
- Edmond Sumner went down early against Villanova, which kind of derailed that game. The team is still adjusting to losing a starter, so that five above is just an educated guess.
- Xavier has only played one team with a KenPom ranking worse than St. John's this year; the result of that game was lackluster 12-point home win over NKU.
- X is 0-1 in road conference games this season, so I really think you guys have us here.