Naji Marshall Earns Preseason All-BIG EAST Conference Honors

NEW YORK – The Xavier University Musketeers, the defending BIG EAST Conference Regular Season Champions, have been selected to finish sixth in 2018-19 regular-season race in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll announced today at BIG EAST Basketball Media Day at Madison Square Garden.

"You better be ready night in and night out for the 18-game BIG EAST schedule," said Steele. The last four years the 10-team BIG EAST has averaged six teams in the NCAA Tournament field. That speaks for itself. There are no nights off. We have to challenge our guys and get better in the non-conference so we are ready for the challenge of the BIG EAST Conference."

Sophomore forward Naji Marshall, who was a unanimous selection to the 2018 BIG EAST Conference All-Freshman Team, was named preseason Honorable Mention All-BIG EAST. Marshall is XU's second-leading returning scorer (7.7 ppg.) and rebounder (4.4 rpg.). "I am looking for Naji to have a breakout year," said first-year head coach Travis Steele. "Naji is as versatile as any defender in the entire country as far his ability to guard point guards to centers."

Junior guard Quentin Goodin is XU's top returning scorer (8.7 ppg.) and junior forward Tyrique Jones (4.5 rpg.) is the top returning rebounder for Steele, who was on the XU staff for 10 years previously. Goodin was third in the BIG EAST in assists at 4.9 apg. and assist/turnover ratio at 2.14 last season. The junior duo is at Madison Square Garden with Steele for the annual BIG EAST Basketball Media Day.

Sophomore guard Paul Scruggs averaged 16.8 minutes a game as a freshman and is expected to take a big step up this season. Steele has also added a talented five-member newcomer class, including three graduate transfers that are expected to play major roles this season.

Villanova, the reigning NCAA champion, was selected to win the 2018-19 BIG EAST regular-season crown in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Wildcats received eight first-place votes from the league's head coaches and a total of 79 points in the poll. Marquette and Butler received one first-place vote. Coaches do not place their own teams on their ballots.

2018-19 Preseason Coaches' Poll
Pts.

Villanova (8) 79
Marquette (1) 70
Providence 58
St. John's 57
Butler (1) 45
Xavier 41
Georgetown 33
Seton Hall 26
Creighton 25
DePaul 16

First-place votes in parentheses.

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