Zach Freemantle’s early season excellence recognized

First, the release: “Xavier senior Zach Freemantle has been named to the BIG EAST Conference Honor Roll for the second straight week. He earned the honor this week after averaging 15.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.5 blocks in two games. He had a triple-double with 15 points, 13 boards and 10 assists against Fairfield on Nov. 15 and tied for team-high scoring honors with 15 points vs. Indiana on Nov. 18.”

That’s from the school and even the bare numbers are impressive. Where was Zach at this time last season? He hadn’t even played yet. In the first four games he did play he averaged 8.8/2.3/1.3 54.2%. This season he has averaged 15.5/7.3/5.0 on 60.5% shooting. The difference has gone beyond the numbers as well. Freemantle looks lighter, not necessarily in terms of weight, but just in the way he is moving.

Where Xavier lacked a bit last season early on was in an effective foil to Jack Nunge. This season the Musketeers have found it in a player they already had. With Zach Freemantle firing, Xavier has a high-low post presence that few teams can counter. Defensviely, they may yet need some shoring up, but their two bigs have been an offensive menace thus far.