Another Summer of our Discontent

Summer is not the time for college basketball. Even here in northern Ohio the temperatures are going to approach 90 today, pop up thunderstorms are a daily occurrence, and simply walking out of the house is an invitation to a level of sweat usually reserved for metaphors. It’s hot, it’s muggy, it isn’t basketball season

It is, in fact, baseball season. The Cleveland Indians sit atop their division by two and a half games, while the Reds promise their fans another summer of debuting young talent, selling off familiar faces, and finishing below .500. None of this does a lot to stir the soul about college ball, but there are some reasons to start looking toward October other than being able to walk to your car without needing a hydration break.

For starters, the Musketeers have already been back in the gym. While Coach Mack runs camps, the team is already starting to work out for the upcoming season. That means that Trevon Bluiett is meeting up with some of the upcoming talent that comprises one of the best recruiting classes in the nation. Don’t forget, Quentin Goodin, fresh off his trial by fire, and Tyrique Jones are also still in the fold. As is JP Macura, and Kaiser Gates, and Sean O’Mara. In short, it’s a loaded team that is starting to gear up for the season.

We’re still a couple of weeks away from the softball game, even, but there is hope on the horizon. You can’t see that horizon right now because of the heat distortion, but it’s there. As July trundles toward August, summer’s dreadful grasp will start to lighten. When it does, Xavier basketball will be back.