ESPN INSIDER
Mar 25, 2017
Possible 2017-18 starting five:
G: Edmond Sumner
G: Paul Scruggs (freshman)
G: J.P. Macura
F: Kaiser Gates
C: Sean O'Mara
Who is lost: There are two big question marks heading into the offseason, centering around whether Trevon Bluiett and/or Sumner will head to the NBA draft. Both players would likely be second-round picks, at best, if they left early, but both players explored the option last spring. Sumner tore his ACL in January, which means he wouldn’t be ready for the combine, while Bluiett has emerged as one of the best scorers in college basketball. There are two key seniors on the roster too. Malcolm Bernard came from Florida A&M for his final season and became a key piece for the Musketeers at both ends of the floor. Norfolk State transfer RaShid Gaston really helped Xavier inside and on the glass.
Who is added: Chris Mack is bringing in one of the best recruiting classes in the country, a six-man group that includes two ESPN 100 prospects and four four-star players. Scruggs and Naji Marshall are the best of the group. Scruggs is a tough, strong point guard who can play off the ball. He’s very good getting into the lane and powering through contact to finish at the rim. Marshall is a playmaker on the wing and a very good ball handler and passer for his 6-foot-6 size. The other four-star prospects are Jared Ridder and Elias Harden. Ridder is a big-time shooter in the frontcourt and could stretch the floor at either forward spot. Harden has a good midrange game and will provide a scoring boost off the bench. Big men Kentrevious Jones and junior college transfer Brady Ernst round out the class. Look for Ernst to make a sizable impact next season.
What it means for next season: We hit on Bluiett and Sumner above, and that’s the key to how good Mack’s team will be next season. If at least one of the two returns, Xavier will have the scorers necessary to keep the momentum going. If not, the Musketeers will need one of this past season’s role players to step forward. Quentin Goodin showed flashes at point guard once Sumner went down and got more confident as the season progressed. Gates brings a versatile game to the frontcourt, and O’Mara looked really good down low late in the season. Tyrique Jones is a big-time rebounder. One constant will be Macura, one of the more enigmatic players in the Big East and one of the best scorers in the league when he’s hot. He could lead the team in scoring next season if Sumner and Bluiett leave.
Trending: Level. Mack has now led Xavier to the NCAA tournament in seven of the past eight seasons, even if the expectations for the Musketeers were a bit higher this past season. Xavier will push for the postseason regardless, but if Bluiett and Sumner return, the Musketeers will be ranked for most of the season and will compete nationally.
Mar 25, 2017
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Jeff BorzelloESPN Staff Writer
Possible 2017-18 starting five:
G: Edmond Sumner
G: Paul Scruggs (freshman)
G: J.P. Macura
F: Kaiser Gates
C: Sean O'Mara
Who is lost: There are two big question marks heading into the offseason, centering around whether Trevon Bluiett and/or Sumner will head to the NBA draft. Both players would likely be second-round picks, at best, if they left early, but both players explored the option last spring. Sumner tore his ACL in January, which means he wouldn’t be ready for the combine, while Bluiett has emerged as one of the best scorers in college basketball. There are two key seniors on the roster too. Malcolm Bernard came from Florida A&M for his final season and became a key piece for the Musketeers at both ends of the floor. Norfolk State transfer RaShid Gaston really helped Xavier inside and on the glass.
Who is added: Chris Mack is bringing in one of the best recruiting classes in the country, a six-man group that includes two ESPN 100 prospects and four four-star players. Scruggs and Naji Marshall are the best of the group. Scruggs is a tough, strong point guard who can play off the ball. He’s very good getting into the lane and powering through contact to finish at the rim. Marshall is a playmaker on the wing and a very good ball handler and passer for his 6-foot-6 size. The other four-star prospects are Jared Ridder and Elias Harden. Ridder is a big-time shooter in the frontcourt and could stretch the floor at either forward spot. Harden has a good midrange game and will provide a scoring boost off the bench. Big men Kentrevious Jones and junior college transfer Brady Ernst round out the class. Look for Ernst to make a sizable impact next season.
What it means for next season: We hit on Bluiett and Sumner above, and that’s the key to how good Mack’s team will be next season. If at least one of the two returns, Xavier will have the scorers necessary to keep the momentum going. If not, the Musketeers will need one of this past season’s role players to step forward. Quentin Goodin showed flashes at point guard once Sumner went down and got more confident as the season progressed. Gates brings a versatile game to the frontcourt, and O’Mara looked really good down low late in the season. Tyrique Jones is a big-time rebounder. One constant will be Macura, one of the more enigmatic players in the Big East and one of the best scorers in the league when he’s hot. He could lead the team in scoring next season if Sumner and Bluiett leave.
Trending: Level. Mack has now led Xavier to the NCAA tournament in seven of the past eight seasons, even if the expectations for the Musketeers were a bit higher this past season. Xavier will push for the postseason regardless, but if Bluiett and Sumner return, the Musketeers will be ranked for most of the season and will compete nationally.
