Xavier University Athletics
BIG EAST Conference Basketball Media Day Is At Madison Square Garden In New York City
10.24.23 | Men's Basketball
Xavier was picked sixth in the preseason coaches poll.
NEW YORK --- The Xavier University Musketeers have been selected sixth in the BIG EAST Conference in the preseason poll of league coaches, which was announced at the annual BIG EAST Media Day at Madison Square Garden. Head coach Sean Miller, sophomore Desmond Claude, senior Dayvion McKnight and graduate student Quincy Olivari are representing Xavier in New York.
Claude, who made the 2023 BIG EAST All-Freshman Team, and fellow sophomore Kam Craft are the only healthy returnees on the 2023-24 roster. XU finished 27-10 overall last season, second in the BIG EAST at 15-5 and reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Xavier has 10 newcomers, including six freshmen, on its current active roster. Graduate student Zach Freemantle, who was named preseason honorable mention All-BIG EAST by league coaches, underwent surgery on his left foot on Sept. 18. Senior Jerome Hunter is also not available due to a medical issue.
2023-24 PRESEASON POLL
Marquette (7) - 96
Creighton (4) - 92
Connecticut - 79
Villanova - 76
St. John's - 59
Xavier - 57
Providence - 51
Georgetown - 34
Seton Hall - 30
Butler - 16
DePaul - 15
First-place votes in parentheses.
2023-24 BIG EAST Preseason Honors
BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Tyler Kolek, Marquette, G, Sr., 6-3, 190, Cumberland, R.I.
BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year
Stephon Castle, Connecticut, G, Fr., 6-6, 215, Covington, Ga.
Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team
Trey Alexander, Creighton, G, Jr., 6-4, 190, Oklahoma City, Okla.
*Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton, C, Jr., 7-1, 260, St. Louis, Mo.
Bryce Hopkins, Providence, F-G, Jr., 6-7, 220, Oak Park, Ill.
Joel Soriano, St. John's, C, Sr., 6-11, 255, Yonkers, N.Y.
Justin Moore, Villanova, G, Gr., 6-4, 210, Fort Washington, Md.
Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team
Donovan Clingan, Connecticut, C, So., 7-2, 265, Bristol, Conn.
Baylor Scheierman, Creighton, G, Sr., 6-7, 205, Aurora, Neb.
Oso Ighodaro, Marquette, F, Sr., 6-11, 225, Chandler, Ariz.
Kam Jones, Marquette, G, Jr., 6-5, 200, Memphis, Tenn.
Eric Dixon, Villanova, F, R-Sr., 6-8, 255, Willow Grove, Pa.
Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention
Alex Karaban, Connecticut, F, R-So., 6-8, 220, Southborough, Mass.
Devin Carter, Providence, G, Jr., 6-3, 195, Miami, Fla.
Zach Freemantle, Xavier, F, Gr., 6-9, 227, Teaneck, N.J.
*unanimous selection
Claude, who made the 2023 BIG EAST All-Freshman Team, and fellow sophomore Kam Craft are the only healthy returnees on the 2023-24 roster. XU finished 27-10 overall last season, second in the BIG EAST at 15-5 and reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Xavier has 10 newcomers, including six freshmen, on its current active roster. Graduate student Zach Freemantle, who was named preseason honorable mention All-BIG EAST by league coaches, underwent surgery on his left foot on Sept. 18. Senior Jerome Hunter is also not available due to a medical issue.
2023-24 PRESEASON POLL
Marquette (7) - 96
Creighton (4) - 92
Connecticut - 79
Villanova - 76
St. John's - 59
Xavier - 57
Providence - 51
Georgetown - 34
Seton Hall - 30
Butler - 16
DePaul - 15
First-place votes in parentheses.
2023-24 BIG EAST Preseason Honors
BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Tyler Kolek, Marquette, G, Sr., 6-3, 190, Cumberland, R.I.
BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year
Stephon Castle, Connecticut, G, Fr., 6-6, 215, Covington, Ga.
Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team
Trey Alexander, Creighton, G, Jr., 6-4, 190, Oklahoma City, Okla.
*Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton, C, Jr., 7-1, 260, St. Louis, Mo.
Bryce Hopkins, Providence, F-G, Jr., 6-7, 220, Oak Park, Ill.
Joel Soriano, St. John's, C, Sr., 6-11, 255, Yonkers, N.Y.
Justin Moore, Villanova, G, Gr., 6-4, 210, Fort Washington, Md.
Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team
Donovan Clingan, Connecticut, C, So., 7-2, 265, Bristol, Conn.
Baylor Scheierman, Creighton, G, Sr., 6-7, 205, Aurora, Neb.
Oso Ighodaro, Marquette, F, Sr., 6-11, 225, Chandler, Ariz.
Kam Jones, Marquette, G, Jr., 6-5, 200, Memphis, Tenn.
Eric Dixon, Villanova, F, R-Sr., 6-8, 255, Willow Grove, Pa.
Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention
Alex Karaban, Connecticut, F, R-So., 6-8, 220, Southborough, Mass.
Devin Carter, Providence, G, Jr., 6-3, 195, Miami, Fla.
Zach Freemantle, Xavier, F, Gr., 6-9, 227, Teaneck, N.J.
*unanimous selection
Players Mentioned
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