No. 25 Xavier Musketeers

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Last Season: 26-9, 14-2 (t-1st A-10); lost in the Sweet 16 to Kansas State

Head Coach: Chris Mack

Key Losses: Jordan Crawford, Jason Love

Newcomers: Jay Canty, Jordan Latham, Justin Martin, Griffin McKenzie

Projected Lineup:

• G: Terrell Holloway, Jr.
  
• G: Mark Lyons, So.
  
• G: Dante Jackson, Sr.
  
• F: Jamel McLean, Sr.
  
• C: Kenny Frease, Jr.
  
• Bench: Brad Redford, Jr.; Justin Martin, Fr.; Jay Canty, Fr.; Jordan Latham, Fr.
  

Outlook: Xavier's 2010 NCAA Tournament ended in disappointing fashion -- I know I won't soon forget their double-overtime classic against Kansas State in the Sweet 16 -- but Musketeer fans would be crazy to consider their 2009-2010 season a disappoint. In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year after losing three starters and their head coach, Xavier rallied from a slow start to the season to win a share of the Atlantic 10 regular season crown and once again prove their merit as an elite program by running through the tournament's first weekend.

The 2010-2011 version of the Muskies will have a couple of big holes to fill. Scoring machine Jordan Crawford bolted for the NBA while Jason Love, their rock in the paint, finally graduated after what seemed like a 10 year collegiate career.

The cupboard is far from bare, however, especially in the back court. To start, the newly-named Tu Holloway returns for his junior year. Holloway was a bit of an after thought when he came into the Xavier program, but he has developed into one of the better point guards on the east coast. He's not overly athletic and he's a bit undersized even for a point guard, but Holloway is one of those guys who (excuse the cliche) just gets it done. He's a solid playmaker that doesn't turn the ball over (3.9 apg, 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio), but he also has become a capable scorer, a threat from beyond the arc, and one of the best clutch players in the country.


Also returning in the back court will be Dante Jackson, Mark Lyons, and Brad Redford. Jackson is the ultimate glue guy -- a very good perimeter shooter that can defend with the best of them. Lyons is a talented, 6'1" combo-guard that should be able to help shoulder some of the scoring load left by Crawford. Redford is one of the best shooters in the country and will help to spread the floor. Two top 100 freshmen should also see minutes on the perimeter. Justin Martin, originally a Louisvile commit, is a big, athletic wing player with a solid stroke, but he needs to develop the rest of his game. Jay Canty is the typical Xavier wing player. He is long and athletic and plays a blue collar game, locking up defensively and hitting the offensive glass.

The interior will be a little more of a question mark for Chris Mack. In all likelihood, Kenny Frease and Jamel McLean will be starting. McLean is an athletic and aggressive 6'8" power forward that will get a lot of rebounds and garbage points around the rim. Frease, a 7'0" junior, is a former top 100 recruit that is still realizing his potential. He'll block a few shots and get a few rebounds, but with Love gone is he going to need to become more assertive on the block, especially on the offensive end of the floor. Andrew Taylor is a redshirt senior that grabbed some big rebounds in that double-overtime loss to Kansas State. He'll need to build on that this year. Freshman Jordan Latham is an athletic and high-energy forward that has a bit of a face-up game. He may remind Xavier fans of a young Derrick Brown and should break into the front court rotation. Another freshman, Griffin McKenzie, is a 6'9" forward know for his jump shot, but he'll need to get tougher and stronger before he makes an impact with the Muskies.

Along with Temple, Xavier will be the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic 10. While they will miss Crawford and Love, this Xavier club shouldn't look much different than what we've come to expect from the Muskies -- a tough, physical club that will put ball pressure on the perimeter. If Holloway continues to grow as a leader, Lyons can develop into a legitimate scoring threat, and Frease lives up to that top 100 potential, this is a team that could once again make the Sweet 16.