Frontcourt
For the second straight season, this is a question mark. But there are more bodies capable of contributing, and at least two guys (Aaron Turner and Kevin Frey) have a year under their belts. That’s more than could be said a year ago.
Frey has improved and will shoot more from the outside. Turner is still the toughest inside presence. But together, they create an undersized frontcourt.
Look for 6-foot-8 freshman David West to play a major role. He looked good during the preseason and can run with the Musketeers.
Frey, Turner and West will see the bulk of playing time at power forward and center. Reggie Butler, Marcus Mason or Obi Harris will see some spot time. Maybe.
How well Xavier rebounds is a key.
Sophomore Lloyd Price will play most of the minutes at small forward, with Darnell Williams also able to play that spot. Price has improved his outside shot but still has to get confidence in his jumper in game situations.
Brandon McIntosh, a sophomore from Roger Bacon in his first year with the Musketeers, will have to play well early to break into the rotation as a backup. He has talent but has struggled during the preseason.
Backcourt
There is talent, but no real depth.
Maurice McAfee is ready to be the starting point guard. He showed that toward the end of last season. But the 6-foot junior is the only true point guard on the roster. If he gets in foul trouble, gets hurt, or plays horribly, Xavier could be in the trouble. McAfee is an exciting player who will bring some highs and lows. He has cut down on his bad decisions each year and is as confident as ever.
His backcourt mate is Williams, a veteran who sat out last season with a knee injury. Williams was one of the best in the Atlantic 10 Conference as a junior. The question is whether he’ll return with the same ability. He is a proven slasher to the basket, a solid 3-point threat and a good defensive player. If he is healthy.
Backing up both players is redshirt sophomore Alvin Brown, who is being asked to play point guard for the first time. Brown’s play will be a key, because if he struggles, there is no one else to step in.
The ineligibilities of freshmen guards David Young and Lionel Chalmers really hurt Xavier for this season. Chalmers, especially, would’ve been helpful because of his ability to play the point and score.
Bench
Coach Skip Prosser rarely plays more than seven guys the bulk of the time.
The top reserves will probably be West or Turner or Frey and Brown early. For anyone else to get in the mix, they will have to play well when given the chance in the first handful of games.
The past three seasons, Xavier has had James Posey (two years), then Price come off the bench to provide a boost of energy and excitement. Prosser may turn to Turner or Frey to do that this season.
Last season
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Butler 73-66 W
CHICAGO STATE 90-50 W
MORGAN STATE 100-67 W
x-Pittsburgh 76-94 L
x-Colorado 74-61 W
x-San Francisco 69-82 L
MIAMI 64-56 W
PURDUE 57-71 W
Toledo 67-74 L
CANISIUS 88-58 W
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT 97-52 W
St. Mary’s (Calif.) 77-83 W
RHODE ISLAND 87-83 W
Virginia Tech 80-67 W
Duquesne 56-42 W
St. Bonaventure 62-57 W
GEORGE WASHINGTON 81-61 W
Fordham 76-56 W
VIRGINIA TECH 93-69 W
Cincinnati 77-87 L
Dayton 86-91 L
St. Joseph’s 59-53 W
La Salle 75-88 L
DUQUESNE 72-54 W
TEMPLE 62-60 W
LA SALLE 88-71 W
Massachusetts 77-78 L
DAYTON 90-62 W
George Washington 74-77 L
Massachusetts* 72-68 W
Temple* 64-76 L
Toledo** 86-84 W
WAKE FOREST** 87-76 W
PRINCETON** 65-58 W
Clemson** 76-79 L
Oregon** 106-74 W
x-Puerto Rico Shootout
* Atlantic 10 Tournament
** National Invitation Tournament
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If McIntosh develops, he will be a bonus. But it is unlikely he will play a major role this season. Likewise anything Xavier gets from the Butler-Mason-Harris trio will be considered a bonus. One of those bigger guys may be called upon against an opponent with frontline depth (i.e. Cincinnati).
Coaching
In his sixth year as XU’s head coach, Prosser has his program where he wants it as far as the Atlantic 10 Conference goes; the Musketeers have been picked to win the West Division for the third straight year — in just their fifth year in the league. Also, XU has the best overall winning percentage in league play over the past three years.
But Prosser is still frustrated about not having been invited to the NCAA Tournament last March and wants to make sure lightning doesn’t strike twice. The only way to do that is take the decision out of the selection committee’s hands.
He’ll have to be patient with some of the more inexperienced players, such as Brown and West. Prosser would like more balanced scoring between the perimeter and post, but the strength of the Musketeers is still the backcourt and wing positions.
Prosser, who interviewed for the Notre Dame job last spring, has a contract extension, a new home and next season gets a brand new arena in which to play.
Assistants Jeff Battle and Mark Schmidt are back with Prosser for the seventh year. Mark Gaffney returns for his second season, and former Musketeer Chris Mack is the director of basketball operations, a new position on the staff.
Intangibles
This team might have better overall chemistry than last year’s. The one senior who will play a major role, Williams, relates well to teammates of all ages, as well as walk-ons. There won’t be much — if any — division between veterans and newcomers. Younger players should not be afraid to shoot the ball or play major roles.
Williams is a vocal leader who has to keep his poise and enthusiasm on the court even if he goes through stretches where he doesn’t play as well as he’d like. How he handles adversity will set an example for the others.
One key will be how the team jells once roles are more clearly defined (meaning some guys realize they won’t play much) and Xavier suffers a few losses. Getting off to a good start is important. Last year’s Puerto Rico trip was a disaster.
Games to watch
• Nov. 25 vs. Louisville at Great Alaska Shootout. First-round game in the tournament could set the tone for the non-conference portion of the season. The Cardinals are a solid team but not unbeatable. Would be a quality victory for XU.
• Dec. 18 vs. Cincinnati. No explanation necessary.
• Dec. 27 vs. Princeton. Rematch of last season’s NIT quarterfinal, which was a classic to watch. The Tigers led by 15 with 19 minutes left, then XU had a 27-11 run and went on to win 65-58.
• Jan. 11 at Dayton. The Musketeers have lost four straight in Dayton. Will that slump continue?
• Jan. 25 vs. Temple at the Forum at the Apollo. The Owls are the measuring stick of the league.
