5 observations from final week of Xavier Musketeers’ summer workouts

Xavier men’s basketball wrapped up its summer session Wednesday afternoon from the Klekamp Family Training Center at Cintas Center.

With familiarity amongst the coaching staff and more experience on the roster, Xavier head coach Sean Miller called it the best summer he’s had since returning to the Musketeers in 2022.

“I feel like we’re more experienced as a group, more stable and our staff has both feet on the ground, maybe for the first time,” Miller said. “We have a long way to go like every team, but I like the attitude and approach we’ve had over the last eight weeks.”

Seven additions via the NCAA’s transfer portal and some key returning players highlight a revamped roster for Xavier after finishing 16-18 last season. Here are some observations from the final week of summer workouts.

More: Xavier recruiting news: Musketeers in the mix for several 2025 prospects

Health

Midway through an interview Wednesday, Miller stopped to knock on wood, hoping not to jinx what has been a favorable summer from a health standpoint.

If you followed Xavier last season, you know it’s justified. Xavier lost two starters in Jerome Hunter and Zach Freemantle in the preseason and never could recover with an inexperienced group. Xavier added two players − Lazar Djokovic and Sasa Ciani − after summer workouts in 2023.

“We were still recruiting at this time last year,” said Miller.

Xavier targeted winners in transfer portal

Each of Xavier’s seven transfer portal additions played on a team with a winning record last season as those clubs combined for a 62.6 winning percentage (149-89). That was one of the factors going into the spring for Miller and company when they were looking to add to the roster.

“Guys know what to expect. You try to look at a program, a coach and the winning atmosphere they all came from,” Miller said. “Because of that, they’re a little further up the ladder, they know what summer means and how hard practices are.”

A previous stop at a winning program means a player knows how…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/5-observations-final-week-xavier-135958786.html

Author : Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer

Publish date : 2024-08-01 13:59:58

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