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Indiana’s 2022-23 non-conference schedule was finalized on July 1 and Contained in the Corridor can have a team-by-team take a look at all 11 opponents. Immediately: Xavier.
Indiana will take part within the annual Gavitt Video games between the Large Ten and Large East for the fifth time this upcoming season. This go across the Hoosiers might be taking a visit right down to Cincinnati to tackle the reigning NIT champions the Xavier Musketeers on Friday, Nov. 18.
Regardless of their shut proximity to 1 one other, the 2 applications have solely met 5 occasions. Most lately, it was an 80-65 win for the then Sean Miller coached Musketeers within the Chicago Invitational over Thanksgiving break in 2007. A struggling Eric Gordon nonetheless led the Hoosiers in scoring with 20 factors, 12 of which got here from the foul line.
Xavier enters the 2022-23 season with the biggest query mark surrounding its head coach. In March, Xavier, a program who hasn’t made the large dance since Chris Mack left for Louisville in 2018, fired head coach Travis Steele and employed Sean Miller, former Xavier and Arizona head coach.
Miller has been below the microscope from media and the NCAA in recent times. The NCAA held an investigation into alleged corruption, particularly concerning an alleged provide in money from Miller to the No. 1 general 2018 NBA Draft choose Deandre Ayton to play school basketball at Arizona. Miller, who denied all allegations, continued to be head coach at Arizona till he was fired in April 2021.
Now, Miller, who may nonetheless face a suspension, has a second probability to rebuild the Xavier program in his second stint with this system.
The Musketeers roster itself gained’t want quite a lot of rebuilding. Xavier is coming off an NIT championship and is projected to be ranked twenty first within the nation in response to Bart Torvik. In ESPN’s Approach-Too-Early prime 25, Xavier was “subsequent in line” to be positioned within the prime 25.
Final season, Xavier appeared like a lock to earn an at-large bid heading into February, however misplaced seven of its final 9 within the common season. An additional time loss to Butler within the Large East match sealed Xavier’s destiny as an NIT staff.
Xavier is returning All-Large East 7-footer and its main scorer (13.4 ppg), Jack Nunge. Nunge began his profession at Iowa earlier than transferring and has turn out to be a double-double risk irrespective of the opponent. Nunge was ranked 18th nationally in offense ranking final season in response to Kenpom. His potential to stretch the ground makes him actually troublesome for different bigs to protect him out on the perimeter. Nunge shot 36 p.c from past the arc final season.
Indiana may have a tricky time defensively if Nunge is hitting from past the arc and might unfold the ground. Regardless of being a lot smaller than Nunge, Indiana’s Race Thompson and Trayce Jackson-Davis haven’t confirmed themselves to be above-average perimeter defenders. This recreation might be gained from Indiana’s potential to modify on screens and defend a number of positions.
On the guard spot, the Musketeers lose Indianapolis native Paul Scruggs who suffered a devastating torn ACL in an NIT recreation in opposition to Florida. Scruggs completed his fifth season at Xavier second on the staff in scoring (12 ppg) and main the staff in assists (4.1 apg).
To fill the void at level guard, Sean Miller added Souley Boum, a 6-foot-3 grad switch from UTEP. Boum was named All C-USA second staff after a stellar 2021-22 marketing campaign the place he averaged 19.8 factors whereas taking pictures 36.8 p.c on 3s. He’s not the facilitator Scruggs was, however his potential to attain ought to open extra alternatives for guys like Jack Nunge and Colby Jones.
Rising junior Colby Jones, who was named the NIT’s most excellent participant, appears to be like to step up into a bigger function. Jones averaged 14.8 factors within the NIT and scored a career-high 21 factors within the championship recreation win over Texas A&M. Jones’ potential to make use of his measurement to seize rebounds and guard a number of positions makes him a precious asset. The subsequent step for Jones is to develop his recreation to the perimeter. Final season the 6-foot-6 ahead shot a measly 26 p.c from deep with 17 makes on 64 makes an attempt.
Zach Freemantle, a 6-foot-9 ahead, additionally returns after ending because the staff’s fourth main scorer final season. Freemantle averaged 10.4 factors final season and 12.6 factors within the NIT. Former Indiana ahead Jerome Hunter, who began 17 of the staff’s 35 video games final season, may additionally determine into the Musketeer rotation. Fifth-year senior Adam Kunkel, who made virtually 35 p.c of his 3s in Large East play, returns within the backcourt as does junior KyKy Tandy who performed in simply 5 video games final season on account of accidents.
It’s at all times troublesome to challenge a roster and a rotation after a training change, however Xavier appears to be like able to put themselves again within the NCAA match. Come Nov. 18, the Hoosiers may discover themselves with a possibility so as to add their first top-25 win of the season to their resume.
Filed to: Xavier Musketeers
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