Xavier Muskies 2025/2026

[drudy23]

Looks like the start of a new era began today with the first legit team practice. I really, really, really hope we can start the climb back to where we belong. It's time.

While I'm realistic, and know there may be some lumps this year, my expectations are still tournament or bust. Anything less than that will be a disappointment.

I'm really interested to see a new brand and a new identity. I think we will all be eager to see how different this team will look come November, and if we are truly built for the Big East gauntlet.

[paulxu]

Since I don't recognize any of the players, I'll be cheering mightily for the name on the front of the jersey.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

This is just a fun season of "I have zero clue what is going to happen". Tournament or bust, beat UC, I would love to see these things. In the end, I have no clue what we are going to see on the court.

[Xville]

I listened to Rick's podcast the other day and he was comparing this year's squad to last years and I found it to be interesting.

He stated that this year's 1 should be better than last year. He was not very high on Mcknight and frankly I never was either. He did give Conwell and Free the nod on last year's team. After that it came down to the 3 and the 4 spot. He was a little higher on Foster than I ever was, but still said that Pozzatto should be better than him, while Swain probably beats out whoever we have at the 4 who is most likely Carroll at least to start the year.

I think if this year's team can match what last years' team did, that is a win in my book...a tourney appearance and then build off of it. Said that the two players for this years' squad that could be the dawgs would be Pozzatto and Wright. Hopefully, both of those guys can make the jump ala Q, Boum, Conwell etc.

I'm just mainly excited for what should feel like a new era of X basketball...a new vision, something outside of the X box that we have had for the last 20 or so years. And absolutely good effing riddance to the packline.

[drudy23]

I think part of the problem with McKnight was Miller's insistence just to throw him the ball and let him run. It led to turnovers, forced action and bad decisions more often than it led to easy buckets. And for some reason, McKnight refused to shoot open shots this past year. There were games he simply refused to shoot the ball.

[Xville]

Dayvion was way too tentative for my liking. At that spot, I think you need a dawg in the mold of a tu. I know those may be a bit hard to come by, but roddie at least personality wise seems to have that. I think the worst thing is to have someone as quiet as Dayvion is at that position.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Is Rick referring to Anderson being better than McKnight? If so, makes zero sense other than loyalty to give McKnight all the run last year. Also remember, Miller didn't bother recruiting Anderson to Texas. Both things could be true, Miller doesn't think he is good enough for Texas and he could be better than McKnight.

[Xville]

Is Rick referring to Anderson being better than McKnight? If so, makes zero sense other than loyalty to give McKnight all the run last year. Also remember, Miller didn't bother recruiting Anderson to Texas. Both things could be true, Miller doesn't think he is good enough for Texas and he could be better than McKnight.

Do we know if miller recruited Roddie to go to Texas or not? he tried to get conwell to come with and failed. Maybe the same with Roddie? Who knows. Rick insinuated that Roddie is going to be better....more athletic, tougher, and much better on d. We shall see.

I hate talking bad about Dayvion, because he seems like a really good person, and was great with my kids after a few games. However, his game to me last year was pretty disappointing.. he didn't improve his second year, he actually got worse statistically across the board.

[Xavier]

I think the mix of Anderson and all wright at PG is better thank McKnight. But specifically to McKnight and Anderson it’s basically the same level with Anderson seemingly to be a better fit defensively for Pitino. McKnight finished the year before great and underperformed in a major way this year.

I love the potential off both All Wright and Pozzato. My only concern is if they are going to get pushed a bit in the BE. I thought Wrights highlights were better…and he was a stud as his season went on. But both are still making major jumps to BE level

[paulxu]

Of ESPN's top 100 transfers, we had:

#11 Conwell leaving for U of L
#43 Swain leaving for Texas
#69 Pozzato from Evansville

Not all that impressive. Would have thought we might have done a little better.

[Xville]

From my understanding, Pozzato cost 7 figures. When the #69 cost that, it makes sense why Pitino was not really targeting anyone else in that top 100 area. His strategy is clear...get young guys that cost less right now with lots of upside, and hope that two things happen...1.) they can make the jump to BE and 2.) we can retain most of them if they do blossom.

Will that work? I dunno....but with the way things are right now with zero cap, I think that's the best chance at success in the short and long term at Xavier.

The other part about this offseason is that Pitino had to replace almost the entire roster so the dollars had to be spread out. Hopefully next year, we can retain quite a bit and maybe X has the dollars available to go fishing in the deep pond to fill out a gap or two.

[paulxu]

F2.) we can retain most of them if they do blossom.

If Possato blossoms, I'm sure there is someone out there will to pay $2 million.

This may not end well.

[GIMMFD]

This is just a fun season of "I have zero clue what is going to happen". Tournament or bust, beat UC, I would love to see these things. In the end, I have no clue what we are going to see on the court.

Same, and honestly I'm okay with that, it's becoming the new norm I think where we're not going to know how good we are coming into the year with the new found roster turnovers, it'll be fun to learn about the team, and hopefully we watch them grow and get better as the year progresses, that's all I can ask for. Looking forward to the Pitino years, however long they may last.

[94GRAD]

If Possato blossoms, I'm sure there is someone out there will to pay $2 million.

This may not end well.

If he blossoms and leaves, that would probably mean we had a good year. I'm ok with that.

[paulxu]

With all the discussions about other sports not being able to do well (after football and basketball), I see where Texas Tech paid their star girls softball pitcher a million dollars in NIL.

[94GRAD]

With all the discussions about other sports not being able to do well (after football and basketball), I see where Texas Tech paid their star girls softball pitcher a million dollars in NIL.

They paid her a million dollars to convince her to leave Stanford

[drudy23]

Whatever happened to Mario? Is he still at XU?

[94GRAD]

Whatever happened to Mario? Is he still at XU?

Yes, but they are still figuring out his role moving forward.

[xukeith]

Was assistant coach Dante Jackson ever an assistant under Mack while Mack was at X? or just an assistant at X under Steele?

[kane79]

Was assistant coach Dante Jackson ever an assistant under Mack while Mack was at X? or just an assistant at X under Steele?

I believe he was a grad asst under Mack