[JNixonParticipant]

12: Xavier Musketeers

Frontcourt: They lose a very solid starter in Jamel McLean, who got 10 ppg and 8 rpg as a Sr. They do return the Sr. Kenny Frease, a 7’ 270 C who finally lived up to his touted HS rep and put together a breakout year for the Musketeers. Frease gives the squad a big that is unmatched in the A-10 in terms of sheer strength and size. He’s a brute who has soft touch around the rim, and he is a good rebounder. Sadly, he can be a sluggish defender and still has to have his minutes somewhat limited due to so-so stamina (which did make progress admittedly, though). He doesn’t run the floor very well and isn’t quite an athlete, sometimes looking REAL mechanical when his size isn’t enough and he actually has to make a low post move. Also, at his size in a mid-major league, Frease should be able to get to the foul line a bunch (he’s a serviceable foul shooter for his size, 70% last year), but he does not. Still, Frease will improve as a Sr. and he’s a fringe NBA prospect too. The PF spot will likely be handled by Jr. Jeff Robinson or rJr Travis Taylor who transferred from Monmouth. The 6’9 220 Robinson is a long tweener forward with athleticism and quickness. He runs the floor real well and is sometimes a highlight-level finisher around the rim, and looks like the best shot-blocker on the squad and a decent rebounder. He’s a developing offensive player right now, and he needs to tone down on fouls though. He also needs more weight, to better hold his spots in the teams D. The 6’7 220 Taylor was a productive player at Monmouth, and Coach Mack says he’s got a good feel for the game and should provide some scoring and rebounding, after practicing with the team while ineligible. I think he’ll start and be solid. The top wing will probably be Fr. Dezmin Wells, who is already a man physically. At 6’4 230, he will be able to compete immediately and make up the production Dante Jackson had as a Sr. Wells is a slashing, blue collar wing who can absorb contact on the way to the rim, and still get off his shots. The Fr. provides decent athleticism and an aggressive mindset to the wing. He also is a promising and competitive defender, who will relish tougher assignments. He needs to refine his shooting mechanics, but he’ll be an immediate contributor. I expect about 9 ppg and 3 rpg from him. 6’9 225 Soph. Griffin McKenzie is a tall shooter with adequate passing ability, and limited skill elsewhere. These guys would much rather score through power as opposed to finesse, but they will wear you down by the end of the night on both ends with the way they battle. I like their rugged frontline, they give the team a rugged identity. They do lack some depth that won’t show face until they face quality opponents though.

Backcourt: Their best returning player and the engine that makes the team go is 6’0 190 All-American Sr. Tu Holloway, a confident PG who has a high IQ. Holloway was one of 3 players (draft picks Charles Jenkins of Hofstra and Norris Cole of Cleveland State, the others), to get 20 ppg, 5 rpg, and 5 apg last year. A very experienced lead guard, Holloway is a blue collar bulldog and an ironman who played 38 mpg last year. He plays the game the right way and is steady across the board. The guy is a gritty defender too, to compliment his do-everything offense. He’s not a great shooter but he’s not bad either, and he’s cool in the clutch. A guard who can score and run an offense, Holloway should look to improve his handle more and to get more comfortable working the mid-range area, since he’s a limited finisher due to a lack of athleticism. I think Holloway has backup PG potential in the NBA, and he should get chances to prove that next year and early in his pro career. He’s the type of player who could never hurt a team off the bench with his gritty, substance-over-style type of play. 6’0 165 Jr. combo guard Mark Lyons is also a blue collar player in the backcourt who had a strong year last season. Lyons is a quick slasher, who can score driving the lane or with an improving jumper. Lyons is a pitbull with his on-ball D too. He needs to work on his shot more, as it’s still not very good, as well as picking his spots better and playing more under control. rJr. Brad Releford returns from injury (ACL). 6’0 175 SG Releford is the designated shooter of the team, and is one of the very best in the country with it. You can forget about it when he has his feet set, and Xavier runs all kinds of screens at his guy to get him space when he’s on the floor. He is a limited athlete though. Dezmine Wells will play some in the backcourt as a swingman. 5’11 155 Fr. PG Darwin Davis could vie for time too. He’s a waterbug PG who takes cake of the ball, and can play fast or in a half-court setting. He doesn’t look for his own shots much at all, and is really small, but he is a saavy distributor. He might get hit with “the shirt” though. I really like their guards, Holloway is a warrior, and one of the very best in the country. Lyons is good too and Redford is an elite shooter. Wells can play here too. A very strong rotation of guards.

Overview: Chris Mack is a very nice coach. Xavier is super gritty and they have blue-collar guys all over the roster. They are not a typical mid-major, and it proves true every year. Tu Holloway is an elite college PG, and their guard rotation is very nice. Kenny Frease is key, as he’s simply too big to not be productive against A-10 bigs. If he becomes even more productive and dominant like I think? This ranking (10-15 team) will be good. They have relative unprovens at the PF spot, but they are strong there in terms of upside. Dezmin Wells will be ready to compete for them as a Fr. I like Xavier as a Sweet 16 squad, who could get to the Elite 8 even.

[providencefriars1Participant]

Wow I did not see this one coming, I like Holloway a ton but are they really better than Florida and Louisville?

[providencefriars1Participant]

Wow I did not see this one coming, I like Holloway a ton but are they really better than Florida and Louisville?

[OhCanada-Participant]

I think that Xavier could be a very good team as Iggy pointed out, although Kenny Frease must take another dominant leap in his development and become a true NBA prospect. Holloway will continue to lead this team, but are the role players really at the same calibur of other teams such as Florida and Louisville as Providincefriars suggested. Not only did Louisville have one of the best recruiting classes, but they kept a player named Peyton Siva who could very well be the player to "Kemba Walker" the NCAA this year.

[OhCanada-Participant]

I think that Xavier could be a very good team as Iggy pointed out, although Kenny Frease must take another dominant leap in his development and become a true NBA prospect. Holloway will continue to lead this team, but are the role players really at the same calibur of other teams such as Florida and Louisville as Providincefriars suggested. Not only did Louisville have one of the best recruiting classes, but they kept a player named Peyton Siva who could very well be the player to "Kemba Walker" the NCAA this year.

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