Xavier Musketeers 2024-25 Preview & Big East Basketball Predictions

Clearly, the barrage of newcomers unfamiliar with Sean Miller’s system was too much for the Musketeers to overcome in 2023-24. Hopes of a late-season push for an at-large bid were quickly swiped away in the middle of February when Xavier endured a four-game losing streak and eventually bowed out to UConn in the second round of the Big East Tournament.

Big East Previews: Butler | DePaul | Georgetown | Villanova

Xavier Musketeers Odds

The return of Zach Freemantle from a foot injury that kept him out for the entirety of the 2023-24 season is a game-changer for Xavier. His elite frontcourt presence makes him a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses, and he is expected to return to his elite offensive output from 2022-23. Dayvion McKnight is another name to know, as he returns as point guard for the Musketeers as an elite playmaker and efficient three-point shooter. Freemantle and McKnight help make up one of the stronger inside-outside tandems the Big East offers this season.

Xavier Musketeers Top Additions

One of the top transfers to enter the league is Ryan Conwell. The former Indiana State guard has all the tools necessary to succeed at the power conference level, including an elite build and a gorgeous shooting stroke that helped him knock down 40 percent of his triples. Marcus Foster also joins from Furman as a proven scorer who should give them further scoring punch out of the backcourt and a positive presence as he hails from a winning program. John Hugley IV joins from Pittsburgh as an excellent complement for Freemantle with his bigger frame, creating one of the best frontcourt tandems in the league.

There wasn’t much Xavier could do about last season’s preseason injuries. It was four months of Miller using popsicle sticks and glue to put together a meaningful rotation, and it was impressive that he even made the team competitive. With some impact transfers and the return of Freemantle, this team should compete in the upper echelon of the Big East.

Xavier Musketeers Prediction

Fifth Place in the Big East | NCAA Tournament

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.