Xavier Musketeers men's basketball

The Xavier Musketeers men's basketball team represents Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school's team currently competes in the Big East Conference, and are coached by Sean Miller.[2] Xavier has appeared in the NCAA tournament 29 times, 16 times in the 18 tournaments between 2001 and 2018. On March 11, 2018, Xavier earned its first ever No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.[3] Xavier is also a two-time winner of the NIT, with their most recent championship coming in 2022.

Xavier Musketeers
2023–24 Xavier Musketeers men's basketball team
UniversityXavier University
Head coachSean Miller (2nd season of 2nd stint, 7th overall season)
ConferenceBig East
LocationCincinnati, Ohio
ArenaCintas Center
(Capacity: 10,224)
ColorsNavy blue, white, and gray[1]
     
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away
Alternate jersey
Team colours
Alternate
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
2004, 2008, 2017
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1990, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2023
NCAA tournament round of 32
1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023
NCAA tournament appearances
1961, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023
Conference tournament champions
1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2006
Conference regular season champions
1981, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2018

Xavier won four Atlantic 10 tournament championships (1998, 2002, 2004 and 2006). Xavier has won or shared 17 regular season conference championships, while winning 9 conference tournament championships. In addition, they have won one Big East Conference regular season title in 2018. They made the 2023 Big East Championship but lost to the Marquette Golden Eagles.

Xavier has been listed among the top-20 most valuable college basketball teams.[4]

History edit

The first Xavier basketball game on record was February 20, 1920 at the Fenwick Club in Cincinnati. Coached by Joe Meyer, the Musketeers compiled a 94–52 record during Meyer's's 13-year run as head coach from 1920 to 1933. The Musketeer's success continued under second head coach Clem Crowe. During Crowe's 10 years as Xavier head coach, Xavier compiled a record of 96–78. Crowe's 96 wins as a head coach rank fourth all-time among Xavier head coaches.[5]

Following the 1942–43 season, play was suspended for the following two seasons because of World War II. In 1945, the program resumed under the leadership of head coach Ed Burns. In his one season as head coach, Burns compiled a record of 3–16.

In 1946, Burns was replaced by Lew Hirt. Under Hirt, the Musketeers first postseason appearance was in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) during the 1948 NAIA National Basketball tournament, the national tournament for small colleges. Xavier finished in 4th place, losing to Hamline University in the national third-place game, 58–59. 1948 was the only year Xavier appeared in the NAIA tournament.[6]

In 1951, Hirt was replaced as head coach by Ned Wulk. Wulk guided the Musketeers to National Invitational Tournament appearances in 1956 and 1957. The 1956 appearance marked Xavier's first NIT win, an 84–80 victory over Saint Louis.[6]

After a loss to Bradley in the 1957 NIT, Wulk was replaced as head coach by Jim McCafferty. McCafferty led the Musketeers back to a third straight NIT in 1958. With wins over Niagara, Bradley, St. Bonaventure and Dayton, Xavier captured the NIT. According to most college basketball historians, the NIT was the elite post season tournament until the NCAA overtook it in the early 1960s. That was the first postseason championship won by any Ohio Division I school.

In 1961, McCafferty led Xavier to their first appearance in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. On March 14, 1961, Xavier fell to Morehead State at the Kentucky State Fairgrounds in Louisville, Kentucky.

McCafferty was replaced as head coach in 1963. He would be followed by Don Ruberg (1963–67), George Krajack (1967–71), Dick Campbell (1971–73) and Tay Baker (1973–79).

In 1979, Xavier was one of the charter members of the Midwestern City Conference (nicknamed the MCC or Midwestern City 6, and now known as the Horizon League), which also included Butler, Evansville, Loyola (Chicago), Oklahoma City, and Oral Roberts. That year also marked the hiring of head coach Bob Staak, who compiled an 88–86 record during his six seasons as head coach, including a return to both the NCAA Tournament and NIT.

Pete Gillen era edit

1985 once again marked considerable change for the program. In addition to the hiring of head coach Pete Gillen, the Midwestern City Conference altered its name slightly to the Midwestern Collegiate Conference, adding more teams including Detroit, Notre Dame (excluding men's basketball and football), Saint Louis, Marquette and Dayton. The MCC is the predecessor to the present-day Horizon League. Xavier was a member of the MCC from 1979 to 1995 and won eight regular season and six conference tournament championships.

From 1985 to 1994, Gillen compiled a 202–75 record, including the program's first five wins in the NCAA Tournament. The Musketeers advanced to the NCAA Tournament in seven of Gillen's nine years at the helm. In 1990, Xavier beat Kansas State and future Big East colleagues Georgetown to advance to the program's first Sweet Sixteen.

Skip Prosser era edit

Skip Prosser was hired in the spring of 1994 to replace departed head coach Pete Gillen. In his seven seasons as head coach, Prosser compiled a 148–65 record with four NCAA tournament appearances. Prosser's 148 wins are third all-time at Xavier. During his time at Xavier, Prosser continued to build on the momentum Gillen had created. Early in his tenure, Prosser added recruits Gary Lumpkin, Darnell Williams, Lenny Brown and James Posey. Those four players provided the core of Prosser's success during his time at Xavier. After missing the NCAA Tournament in both 1999 and 2000, Xavier returned to the tournament in 2001. Following a loss to Notre Dame in the tournament's first round, Prosser accepted the position of head coach at Wake Forest.

Thad Matta era edit

Thad Matta left alma mater Butler to replace Skip Prosser as Xavier's head coach in 2001. Hired with only one year of head coaching experience, Matta inherited a talented core of players in David West, Lionel Chalmers, and Romain Sato. During his three years at the helm, Matta compiled a record of 78–23, with three straight NCAA tournament appearances and Xavier's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. Matta won two Atlantic 10 regular-season championships in his first two years behind the play of National Player of the Year David West. Following Matta's second year, West was drafted in the first round of the 2003 NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets. With West's departure, seniors Lionel Chalmers, Romain Sato and Anthony Myles became the team's cornerstone for the 2003–04 season. After a 10–9 start, Xavier closed the season by winning 16 of its last 18 games. "The Run", as it became known, left Xavier 3 points shy of making the program's first NCAA Final Four appearance.

Sean Miller era edit

The summer following Xavier's first Elite Eight appearance, Matta was offered and accepted the position of head men's basketball coach at Ohio State. Xavier Athletic Director, Dawn Rogers, quickly promoted Xavier Associate Head Coach Sean Miller.[7] From 2004 to 2009, Miller compiled a record of 120–47. Advancing to the NCAA Tournament in four of his five seasons as head coach, Miller led the Musketeers to another Elite Eight appearance in 2008 and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2009. During Miller's tenure as head coach, Xavier continued to shed the "mid-major" label and separate itself as one of the country's premier college basketball programs.[8] Miller's NCAA Tournament success, aggressive non-conference scheduling and national recruiting allowed Xavier to be recognized with the likes of Memphis and Gonzaga as one of the premier basketball programs.[9] After turning away interest from many programs, Sean Miller left Xavier to become the head basketball coach at Arizona.

Chris Mack era edit

On April 15, 2009, Xavier's Athletic Director named Xavier Assistant Coach Chris Mack as the 17th head basketball coach in the program's history.[10] A Cincinnati native and Xavier graduate, Mack compiled a record of 26–9 in his first year as head coach. Behind the play of 2010 NBA draft pick Jordan Crawford, Xavier advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet Sixteen for a third straight season. Chris Mack, the 2009–10 Basketball Times Rookie Coach of the Year,[11] was the first Xavier head coach to lead the Musketeers to the Sweet Sixteen in his first season at the helm. With a 14–2 record in Atlantic 10 play, Xavier also won a share of their fourth straight conference championship.

Finishing with a 24–8 overall record including a 15–1 record in the A-10, Mack lead the Musketeers to a fifth consecutive A-10 title and another NCAA tournament berth in 2010–11.

In a 2011–12 season filled with highs and lows. The early season was marred by the Crosstown Shootout brawl in their yearly rivalry game against Cincinnati. The Musketeers had reached as high as #8 in the AP Poll before numerous suspensions from the Crosstown Shootout brawl lead to the team losing 5 of their next 6 games. Xavier rebounded from this ugly incident and reached Mack's second Sweet Sixteen.

In 2013, Xavier joined the newly reconstituted Big East Conference following Big East conference realignment. Xavier became one of the new members of the new 10-team Big East with the "Catholic 7" (DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John's, and Villanova) plus Butler and Creighton. Xavier finished their first season in the Big East with a record of 21–13, 10–8 to finish Big East play in a tie for third place. They received a bid to the NCAA tournament, but lost in the First Round (First Four).

The 2014–15 season also saw a return to the Sweet Sixteen for the Musketeers. From 2008 to 2015, Xavier made five Sweet Sixteens, tied for third in the nation with Wisconsin over that span behind only Louisville and Michigan State. The 2015–16 team finished second in the Big East to Villanova, Xavier's highest finish in the Big East, and advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA tournament.[12]

In 2017, Mack led Xavier to a 24–14 season and got the 11th seed in the West and advanced to the Elite Eight by defeating 6th seed Maryland, 3rd seed Florida State, and 2nd seed Arizona. In the Elite Eight they lost to Gonzaga.

Mack's 215 wins concluding the 2017–18 season placed him first in all-time wins in Xavier history.

Travis Steele era edit

On March 27, 2018, Mack was named the head coach at the University of Louisville.[13] Four days after Mack left Xavier for Louisville, longtime Xavier assistant coach Travis Steele was named head coach of the Musketeers.[14] Despite success against rival Cincinnati, Steele was criticized for his inability to lead the Musketeers to the NCAA Tournament. After missing the tournament for the fourth consecutive year, Steele was fired on March 16, 2022.

2nd Sean Miller era edit

Only three days after the firing of Travis Steele, Xavier hired former head coach Sean Miller as his replacement.[15] During the period in between Steele’s exit and Miller’s full installation as head coach, Jonas Hayes served as interim. Hayes would lead the Musketeers to their second-ever NIT Championship.

In his first season back at Xavier, Miller led the team to a 27-10 record, earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament as a 3 seed, where they would be eliminated in the Sweet 16 by Texas.

Home courts edit

Cintas Center edit

Xavier currently plays its home games at the Cintas Center, a 10,224 seat multi-purpose arena that opened in 2000. The Cintas Center is the fifth different home site in program history.

At Cintas Center, Xavier enjoys one of the nation's best home court advantages. As of April 2018 the Musketeers have compiled a 258–41 (an .863 winning percentage) record since moving to its on-campus home in 2000. Xavier enjoyed a 15–0 mark at home during the 2009–10, its only perfect record for a season at Cintas Center. During the 2017–2018 season, the Musketeers set a Cintas Center record with 17 home victories. The building was named the #3 "Toughest Place to Play" on EA Sports' NCAA Basketball '10. In August 2018 the NCAA named it as the 8th toughest home court in college basketball.[16]

Through the 2018–2019 season, Cintas Center has hosted 3,011,308 fans for Xavier home games and the Musketeers have averaged 10,071 fans (better than 98% capacity) per game during that time. The 2017–2018 season marked the highest average attendance in Cintas Center history with an average 10,475 (over 102% capacity) Musketeer fans at each home game.

Season Record Pct. Games Attendance Average Sellouts
2000–01 13–1 .929 14 141,011[17] 10,072 12
2001–02 13–1 .929 14 143,129[18] 10,224 13
2002–03 14–1 .933 15 152,664[19] 10,178 14
2003–04 13–3 .813 16 158,432[20] 9,902 8
2004–05 12–4 .750 16 178,259[21] 9,903 7
2005–06 11–4 .733 15 146,615[22] 9,774 4
2006–07 14–1 .933 15 148,650[23] 9,910 5
2007–08 16–1 .941 17 170,133[24] 10,008 9
2008–09 14–1 .933 15 151,456[25] 10,097 11
2009–10 15–0 1.000 15 151,843[26] 10,123 7
2010–11 14–1 .933 15 151,475[27] 10,098 9
2011–12 13–3 .813 16 162,474[28] 10,155 10
2012–13 11–4 .733 15 146,710[29] 9,781 1
2013–14 15–2 .882 17 168,127[30] 9,890 7
2014–15 13–3 .813 16 159,974[31] 9,998 9
2015–16 15–1 .938 16 164,501[32] 10,281 11
2016–17 12–4 .750 16 164,520[33] 10,282 12
2017–18 17–1 .944 18 188,554[34] 10,475 18
2018–19 13–5 .722 18 180,611[35] 10,034 13
Total 258–41 .863 299 3,011,308 10,071 180

Cincinnati Gardens edit

The Musketeers played their final season at Cincinnati Gardens in 1999–2000. Located 2 miles from the Xavier campus, the Gardens was the home court for the Xavier Musketeers since 1983–84 season.

The Xavier men's team played all of its regular season games off campus at the Cincinnati Gardens for 17 years, beginning with the 1983–84 season and ending with an NIT game against Marquette in the 1999–2000 season. The only exception was a game against Florida International that was played at Schmidt Fieldhouse on January 9, 1988.[36]

Xavier compiled an impressive 215–25 (.896) record after moving to the Gardens in the 1983–84 season, including 14–1 in its final season.

Schmidt Fieldhouse edit

Prior to moving to the Cincinnati Gardens in the 1983–84 season, Xavier called Schmidt Fieldhouse home. Located on the west side of the Xavier Campus, Xavier compiled an impressive 326–129 (.716) record at the Fieldhouse.[37]

Until opening Cintas Center, the men's basketball team had only played one regular season game on campus since early in the 1983–84 season. Xavier scored a school-record point total in a 125–84 win over Florida International on Saturday, January 9, 1988.

Other home courts edit

The Musketeers have also used Riverfront Coliseum and the Fenwick Club.

Postseason edit

NCAA tournament results edit

The Musketeers have appeared in the NCAA tournament 29 times. Their combined record is 30–29.[38]

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1961 First Round Morehead State L 66–71
1983 No. 12 Preliminary Round No. 12 Alcorn State L 75–81
1986 No. 12 First Round No. 5 Alabama L 80–97
1987 No. 13 First Round
Second Round
No. 4 Missouri
No. 5 Duke
W 70–69
L 60–65
1988 No. 11 First Round No. 6 Kansas L 72–85
1989 No. 14 First Round No. 3 Michigan L 87–92
1990 No. 6 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
No. 11 Kansas State
No. 3 Georgetown
No. 10 Texas
W 87–79
W 74–71
L 89–102
1991 No. 14 First Round
Second Round
No. 3 Nebraska
No. 11 Connecticut
W 89–84
L 50–66
1993 No. 9 First Round
Second Round
No. 8 New Orleans
No. 1 Indiana
W 73–55
L 70–73
1995 No. 11 First Round No. 6 Georgetown L 63–68
1997 No. 7 First Round
Second Round
No. 10 Vanderbilt
No. 2 UCLA
W 80–68
L 83–96
1998 No. 6 First Round No. 11 Washington L 68–69
2001 No. 11 First Round No. 6 Notre Dame L 71–83
2002 No. 7 First Round
Second Round
No. 10 Hawaii
No. 2 Oklahoma
W 70–58
L 65–78
2003 No. 3 First Round
Second Round
No. 14 Troy State
No. 6 Maryland
W 71–59
L 64–77
2004 No. 7 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
No. 10 Louisville
No. 2 Mississippi State
No. 3 Texas
No. 1 Duke
W 80–70
W 89–74
W 79–71
L 63–66
2006 No. 14 First Round No. 3 Gonzaga L 75–79
2007 No. 9 First Round
Second Round
No. 8 BYU
No. 1 Ohio State
W 79–77
L 71–78 OT
2008 No. 3 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
No. 14 Georgia
No. 6 Purdue
No. 7 West Virginia
No. 1 UCLA
W 73–61
W 85–78
W 79–75 OT
L 57–76
2009 No. 4 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
No. 13 Portland State
No. 12 Wisconsin
No. 1 Pittsburgh
W 77–59
W 60–49
L 55–60
2010 No. 6 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
No. 11 Minnesota
No. 3 Pittsburgh
No. 2 Kansas State
W 65–54
W 71–68
L 96–101 2OT
2011 No. 6 Second Round No. 11 Marquette L 55–66
2012 No. 10 Second Round
Third Round
Sweet Sixteen
No. 7 Notre Dame
No. 15 Lehigh
No. 3 Baylor
W 67–63
W 70–58
L 70–75
2014 No. 12 First Four No. 12 NC State L 59–74
2015 No. 6 Second Round
Third Round
Sweet Sixteen
No. 11 Ole Miss
No. 14 Georgia State
No. 2 Arizona
W 76–57
W 75–67
L 60–68
2016 No. 2 First Round
Second Round
No. 15 Weber State
No. 7 Wisconsin
W 71–53
L 63–66
2017 No. 11 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
No. 6 Maryland
No. 3 Florida State
No. 2 Arizona
No. 1 Gonzaga
W 76–65
W 91–66
W 73–71
L 59–83
2018 No. 1 First Round
Second Round
No. 16 Texas Southern
No. 9 Florida State
W 102–83
L 70–75
2023 No. 3 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
No. 14 Kennesaw State
No. 11 Pittsburgh
No. 2 Texas
W 72-67
W 84–73
L 71–83

*Following the introduction of the "First Four" round in 2011, the Round of 64 and Round of 32 were referred to as the Second Round and Third Round, respectively, from 2011 to 2015. Then from 2016 forward, the Round of 64 and Round of 32 are called the First and Second Rounds, as they were prior to 2011.

NCAA Tournament seeding history edit

The NCAA began seeding the tournament with the 1979 edition.

Years '83 '86 '87 '88 '89 '90 '91 '93 '95 '97 '98 '01 '02 '03 '04 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18 '23
Seeds 12 12 13 11 14 6 14 9 11 7 6 11 7 3 7 14 9 3 4 6 6 10 12 6 2 11 1 3

NIT results edit

The Musketeers have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) nine times. Their combined record is 21–7. They were NIT Champions in 1958 and 2022.

Year Round Opponent Result
1956 First Round
Quarterfinals
Saint Louis
Dayton
W 84–80
L 68–72
1957 First Round
Quarterfinals
Seton Hall
Bradley
W 85–79
L 81–116
1958 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final
Niagara
Bradley
St. Bonaventure
Dayton
W 95–86
W 72–62
W 72–53
W 78–74
1984 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Ohio State
Nebraska
Michigan
W 60–57
W 58–57
L 62–63
1994 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Miami (OH)
Northwestern
Villanova
W 80–68
W 83–79
L 74–76
1999 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game
Toledo
Wake Forest
Princeton
Clemson
Oregon
W 86–84
W 87–76
W 65–58
L 76–79
W 106–75
2000 First Round
Second Round
Marquette
Notre Dame
W 67–63
L 64–76
2019 First Round
Second Round
Toledo
Texas
W 78–64
L 76–78OT
2022 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final
Cleveland State
Florida
Vanderbilt
St. Bonaventure
Texas A&M
W 72–68
W 72–56
W 75–73
W 84–77
W 73–72

NAIA tournament results edit

The Musketeers have appeared in the NAIA tournament one time. Their record is 3–2.

Year Round Opponent Result
1948 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game
Northwestern State
New Britain State
Mankato State
Louisville
Hamline
W 67–43
W 57–35
W 62–50
L 49–56
L 58–59

Musketeers in the NBA edit

The following table shows Xavier players selected in the NBA or ABA draft or appearing on an NBA or ABA roster.

Draft
Year
Player Team Round Pick
(Overall)
1949 Mal McMullen Baltimore 6 5 (57)
1952 Gene Smith Minneapolis 15 1 (104)
1953 Hank Budde Minneapolis 9 9 (79)
1954 Bob Heim Baltimore 6 1 (46)
1956 Dave Piontek Rochester 3 1 (16)
1957 Jim Boothe Cincinnati 12 1 (80)
1958 Frank Tartaton Cincinnati 11 2 (74)
1959 Hank Stein St. Louis 3 7 (21)
Joe Viviano Cincinnati 10 1 (65)
1962 Jack Thobe Cincinnati 4 6 (33)
Bill Kirvin Philadelphia [a] 8 7 (67)
Frank Pinchback Cincinnati 11 4 (88)
1964 Bob Pelkington Philadelphia 8 4 (65)
Joe Geiger Cincinnati 8 8 (69)
1966 Brian Williams St. Louis 8 4 (72)
1968 Bob Quick Baltimore (NBA) 2 4 (18)
Indiana (ABA) 4 6 (39)
1969 Luther Rackley Cincinnati (NBA) 3 8 (37)
Minnesota (ABA) 1 4 (4)
1973 Bob Fullerton Buffalo (NBA) 9 3 (140)
San Antonio (ABA) 3 Senior 5 (41)
Conny Warren Philadelphia (NBA) 12 1 (175)
Denver (ABA) 9 Supp. 2 (188)
1979 Nick Daniels Kansas City 7 17 (145)
1983 Tony Hicks Milwaukee 7 18 (157)
Jon Hanley Cleveland 10 2 (208)
1984 Vic Fleming Portland 2 2 (26)
Jeff Jenkins Seattle 4 13 (83)
John Shimko Cleveland 9 3 (187)
Dexter Bailey Denver 10 9 (215)
1989 Stan Kimbrough Detroit undrafted
1990 Tyrone Hill Golden State 1 11 (11)
Derek Strong Philadelphia 2 20 (47)
1993 Aaron Williams Utah undrafted
1994 Brian Grant Sacramento 1 8 (8)
1995 Michael Hawkins Boston undrafted
Larry Sykes Boston undrafted
1998 Torraye Braggs Utah 2 28 (57)
1999 James Posey Denver 1 18 (18)
2003 David West New Orleans 1 18 (18)
2004 Lionel Chalmers Los Angeles Clippers 2 4 (33)
David Young[b] Seattle 2 12 (41)
Romain Sato San Antonio 2 23 (52)
2009 Derrick Brown Charlotte 2 10 (40)
2010 Jordan Crawford New Jersey 1 27 (27)
2014 Semaj Christon Miami 2 25 (55)
2017 Edmond Sumner New Orleans 2 22 (52)
2018 J. P. Macura Charlotte undrafted
Trevon Bluiett[c] New Orleans undrafted
2020 Naji Marshall New Orleans undrafted
2023 Colby Jones Sacramento 2 5 (34)
  Active players
For undrafted players, the team listed is the one with which the player made his NBA debut.
The NBA debut of undrafted players may have occurred later than the draft year shown.
References:[40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51]

Musketeers overseas edit

As of April 7, 2022, 30 former Xavier players are currently playing professionally overseas.[52]

 
Zach Hankins
 
Jalen Reynolds
Last
Year at
Xavier
Player Home Town Country
2021 Bryan Griffin Pomona, New York  
2020 Tyrique Jones Hartford, Connecticut  
2020 Joe Clark Floop, Massachusetts  
2020 Quentin Goodin Campbellsville, Kentucky  
2019 Kyle Kastlin Marietta, Georgia  
2018 Trevon Bluiett Indianapolis, Indiana  
2018 J. P. Macura Lakeville, Minnesota  
2018 Kaiser Gates Atlanta, Georgia  
2018 Kerem Kanter Gemlik, Turkey  
2018 Sean O'Mara Lisle, Illinois  
2016 Jalen Reynolds Detroit, Michigan  
2016 Remy Abell Louisville, Kentucky  
2016 James Farr Evanston, Illinois  
2016[d] Larry Austin Springfield, Illinois  
2015 Matt Stainbrook Lakewood, Ohio  
2015 Dee Davis Bloomington, Indiana  
2015[e] Brandon Randolph Inglewood, California  
2014 Semaj Christon Cincinnati, Ohio  
2014[f] Justin Martin Indianapolis, Indiana  
2014 Isaiah Philmore Bel Air, Maryland  
2013 Travis Taylor Union, New Jersey  
2012[g] Mark Lyons Albany, New York  
2012 Kenny Frease Massillon, Ohio  
2012 Tu Holloway Hempstead, New York  
2011 Jamel McLean Hampton, Virginia  
2010 Jason Love Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  
2009 B.J. Raymond Toledo, Ohio  
2008 Josh Duncan Cincinnati, Ohio  
2008 Charles Bronson Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  
2007 Justin Cage Indianapolis, Indiana  

Romain Sato, 2010 Italian League MVP, won two straight Italian League Championships in 2009 and 2010.[53] More recently, Justin Doellman was named ACB MVP in 2014 while with Valencia.[54] Mark Lyons was the top scorer in the Israel Basketball Premier League in both 2015 and 2017.[55][56] Zach Hankins plays for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.

Awards edit

All-Americans edit

Xavier has a total of 20 players who have won All-American honors during their careers with the program.

Conference Player of the Year edit

 
Tu Holloway
Year Player Conference
1985–86
1987–88
Byron Larkin Midwestern Collegiate Conference
1989–90 Tyrone Hill Midwestern Collegiate Conference
1992–93
1993–94
Brian Grant Midwestern Collegiate Conference
2000–01
2001–02
2002–03
David West Atlantic 10
2010–11 Tu Holloway Atlantic 10

Retired numbers edit

Xavier has retired jersey numbers for four players in their history.

Xavier Musketeers retired numbers
No. Player Pos. Career No. ret. Ref.
23 Byron Larkin SG 1984–1988 1997 [57][58]
30 David West PF 1999–2003 2003 [59]
33 Brian Grant PF / C 1990–1994 2011 [60]
42 Tyrone Hill PF 1986–1990 1997 [61]

Former university President Fr. James Hoff has also had a "jersey" retired in memory of all that he contributed to the school and basketball program. This was unveiled before a 2004 meeting with Creighton, where Hoff was vice president of university relations and President of the Creighton Foundation. Fr. Hoff died from cancer in 2004.

Coaching history edit

Name (Alma Mater) Seasons Games Wins Losses Win % NCAA Tour NIT Tour MCC Tour A-10 Tour Big East Tour
Jonas Hayes (Georgia) 1 (2022) 4 4 0 1.000 0-0 4-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Pete Gillen (Fairfield) 9 (1985–94) 277 202 75 .729 5–7 2–1 17–4 0–0 0–0
Chris Mack (Xavier) 9 (2009–18) 312 215 97 .694 11–8 0–0 0–0 3–4 7–5
Skip Prosser (Merchant Marine Acad.) 7 (1994–01) 213 148 65 .695 1–4 5–2 0–1 6–5 0–0
Sean Miller (Pittsburgh) 6 (2004–09)(2022–) 204 147 57 .721 8–5 0–0 0–0 8–4 2–1
Cameron Crowe (Notre Dame) 10 (1933–43) 174 96 78 .552 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Joe Meyer (Xavier) 13 (1920–33) 146 94 52 .618 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Jim McCafferty (Loyola, La.) 6 (1957–63) 162 91 71 .562 0–1 4–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Ned Wulk (LaCrosse) 6 (1951–57) 159 89 70 .560 0–0 2–2 0–0 0–0 0–0
Bob Staak (Connecticut) 6 (1979–85) 174 88 86 .506 0–1 2–1 7–5 0–0 0–0
Thad Matta (Butler) 3 (2001–04) 101 78 23 .772 5–3 0–0 0–0 8–1 0–0
Lew Hirt (DePauw) 5 (1946–51) 137 76 61 .555 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Tay Baker (Cincinnati) 6 (1973–79) 159 70 89 .440 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Don Ruberg (Xavier) 4 (1963–67) 103 52 51 .505 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
George Krajack (Clemson) 4 (1967–71) 103 34 69 .330 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Dick Campbell (Furman) 2 (1971–73) 52 15 37 .288 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Ed Burns (Xavier) 1 (1945–46) 19 3 16 .158 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Harry Gilligan (Xavier) 1 (1919–20) 1 0 1 .000 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Travis Steele (Butler) 4 (2018–22) 120 70 50 .583 0–0 2–1 0–0 0–0 1–4
Chart Data[37]

Basketball and academics edit

NCAA academic progress rate edit

In May 2010, the NCAA honored a school-record tying eight Xavier University athletic programs with Public Recognition Awards for academic excellence.[62] The award is given to the top-ten percent of teams in each sport based on the NCAA Academic Progress Rate. The APR is a term-by-term progress for every student-athlete in Division I athletics. Out of the 65 teams to make the 2010 NCAA tournament Xavier had the 11th highest Academic Progress Rate.[63]

Graduation edit

Since 1986, Xavier has graduated every men's basketball player that has exhausted his eligibility.[63]

Sister Rose Ann Fleming edit

During the 2010 NCAA tournament Xavier's Academic Advisor Sister Rose Ann Fleming garnered considerable national attention for the role she has played in the program's academic success. Fleming was featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and on both ABC's Good Morning America and NBC Nightly News. Fleming has over 40 years of experience as an educator. She was president of Cincinnati's Summit Country Day School from 1975 to 1976 and president of Trinity College in Washington, D.C. from 1976 to 1982.[64] In addition to the national recognition she received during the 2010 NCAA tournament she has also been featured in Reader's Digest, Woman's Day, was voted one of the Cincinnati Enquirer's Women of the Year, and was the subject of a promotional spot on The Family Channel.[64]

Rivalries edit

Crosstown Shootout edit

Xavier's main rival is the University of Cincinnati. The two schools play annually in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout. Xavier's record in the Shootout is 40–51.

Other rivals edit

Xavier and Dayton play for the Blackburn/McCafferty Trophy, named for former coaches at the respective universities. Dayton has not beaten Xavier in Cincinnati since 1981.[65] Dayton maintains a lead in the overall series 85–76. However, Xavier won nine straight games against Dayton between March 1991 and December 1994, and went 24–8 between the 2001–02 and 2015–16 seasons.[66][67]

Xavier also maintains a heated rivalry with Butler, with the Musketeers leading the overall series, 44–24. Xavier won four of the six games between the teams during the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons, sweeping the four regular-season matchups and losing each year to Butler in the Big East tournament.[68]

Between the 2009–10 and 2019–20 seasons, Xavier played Wake Forest seven times in a series known as the Skip Prosser Classic, named for the former coach of both schools.[69] Xavier won four of the seven games played.[70]

Notes edit

  1. ^ The Philadelphia Warriors relocated following the 1962 NBA draft and played the 1962–63 season as the San Francisco Warriors.
  2. ^ Young transferred from Xavier to North Carolina Central after the 2002–03 season.
  3. ^ Bluiett was not selected in the 2018 NBA draft. He appeared in the 2018 NBA Summer League with the New Orleans Pelicans and made the Pelicans' opening-day regular-season roster but did not appear in an NBA regular-season game.[39] He also appeared in the 2021 NBA Summer League with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
  4. ^ Austin transferred from Xavier to Vanderbilt in 2016, and completed his NCAA eligibility with Central Michigan in the 2017–18 season.
  5. ^ Randolph transferred from Xavier to Utah Valley in 2015, and completed his NCAA eligibility in 2018
  6. ^ Martin transferred from Xavier to Southern Methodist in 2014, and completed his NCAA eligibility in 2015
  7. ^ Lyons transferred from Xavier to Arizona in 2012, and completed his NCAA eligibility in 2013

References edit

  1. ^ Xavier University: Brand and Graphic Identity Guide (PDF). Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  2. ^ Brennan, Eamonn (August 22, 2012). "50 in 50 rankings". ESPN. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  3. ^ ESPN Stats & Info (March 12, 2018). "Xavier is making its first appearance as a No. 1 seed looking for its first Final Four appearance. The Musketeers have won 27 NCAA Tournament games, the most all-time by a school never to reach the Final Four. For reference, their rival, Cincinnati, reached the Championship game long before the internet was invented". Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  4. ^ Schwartz, Peter J. (March 16, 2009). "The Most Valuable College Basketball Teams". forbes.com. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  5. ^ 2010 Xavier Basketball Media Guide. Xavier Athletic Department, 2010, p. 196.
  6. ^ a b 2010 Xavier Basketball Media Guide. Xavier Athletic Department, 2010, p. 183.
  7. ^ "Sean Miller is Xavier's New Head Basketball Coach". goxavier.com. Retrieved July 8, 2004.
  8. ^ "Xavier Playing Above Mid Major Status". espn.com. Retrieved March 21, 2010.
  9. ^ "Xavier, Memphis top non-BCS schools". espn.com. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
  10. ^ "Chris Mack Introduced As Xavier's New Men's Basketball Head Coach". goxavier.com. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
  11. ^ "Chris Mack Honored As Basketball Times Rookie Coach Of The Year". goxavier.com. Retrieved April 8, 2010.
  12. ^ "Wisconsin vs. Xavier – Game Recap – March 20, 2016 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  13. ^ "Sources: Louisville, Mack agree to 7-year deal". March 27, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  14. ^ Borzello, Jeff (March 31, 2018). "Musketeers promote longtime assistant Travis Steele to head coach". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  15. ^ Eisen, Tom; Xavier Athletic Communications (March 19, 2022). "Sean Miller Returns As Head Men's Basketball Coach at Xavier University" (Press release). Xavier Musketeers. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  16. ^ "These are the toughest home courts in college basketball | NCAA.com". NCAA.com. August 14, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  17. ^ "2001 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  18. ^ "2002 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  19. ^ "2003 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  20. ^ "2004 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  21. ^ "2005 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  22. ^ "2006 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  23. ^ "2007 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  24. ^ "2008 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  25. ^ "2009 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  26. ^ "2010 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  27. ^ "2011 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  28. ^ "2012 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  29. ^ "2013 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  30. ^ "2014 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  31. ^ "2015 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  32. ^ "2016 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  33. ^ "2017 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  34. ^ "2018 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  35. ^ "2019 National College Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  36. ^ 2010 Xavier Basketball Media Guide. Xavier Athletic Department, 2010, p. 146.
  37. ^ a b 2010 Xavier Basketball Media Guide. Xavier Athletic Department, 2010, p. 144.
  38. ^ "Xavier". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  39. ^ "Pelicans' Trevon Bluiett: Sent to G-League". CBS Sports. October 22, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  40. ^ 2010 Xavier Basketball Media Guide. Xavier Athletic Department, 2010, p. 154.
  41. ^ "Xavier NBA Draft Selections". Real GM. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  42. ^ "1968 NBA Draft". databaseBasketball.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  43. ^ "1969 NBA Draft". databaseBasketball.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  44. ^ "1973 NBA Draft". databaseBasketball.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  45. ^ "Stan Kimbrough | G | #21". Real GM. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  46. ^ "Aaron Williams | F-C | #34". Real GM. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  47. ^ "Michael Hawkins | G | #17". Real GM. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  48. ^ "Larry Sykes | PF". Real GM. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  49. ^ "J.P. Macura | SG | #55". Real GM. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  50. ^ "Trevon Bluiett | SG | #5". Real GM. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  51. ^ "Pelicans 2021-22 Roster". NBA. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  52. ^ "Former Xavier Players Currently Playing Professionally". Real GM. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  53. ^ 2010 Xavier Basketball Media Guide. Xavier Athletic Department, 2010, p. 42.
  54. ^ "Justin Doellman, MVP Orange de la Liga Endesa 2013–14" [Justin Doellman, Orange MVP of the Liga Endesa 2013–14]. acb.com (in Spanish). May 27, 2014. Archived from the original on February 14, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  55. ^ "Statistics - Leaders, Regular Season, 2014-15 Season". Israel Basketball Super League. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  56. ^ "Statistics - Leaders, Regular Season, 2016-17 Season". Israel Basketball Super League. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  57. ^ BYRON K. LARKIN bio at Goxavier.com
  58. ^ Larkin bio at Ohio HoF
  59. ^ DAVID M. WEST bio at Goxavier.com
  60. ^ Brian Grant's Jersey to be Retired During Saturday's Game Against Temple, 18 Jan 2011
  61. ^ TYRONE HILL bio at Goxavier.com
  62. ^ "NCAA Honors Eight Xavier Programs For Being In The Top 10 Percent Of The Latest APR". goxavier.com. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  63. ^ a b Branch, John (March 15, 2010). "At Xavier, Nun Works Out Players' Academic Side". The New York Times. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  64. ^ a b "Sister Rose Ann Fleming, Xavier Athletics". goxavier.com. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  65. ^ "Dayton vs. Xavier – Game Recap – January 30, 2013 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  66. ^ Nagel, Kyle. "Dayton-Xavier Basketball Series in UD's Modern Era". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  67. ^ "Men's Basketball History vs University of Dayton from Feb 19, 2005 - Nov 29, 2015". goxavier.com. Xavier University. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  68. ^ "From 1949-50 to 2021-22, for Xavier, against Butler, Sorted by Descending Date". sports-reference.com. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  69. ^ "Skip Prosser Classic". Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  70. ^ "Men's Basketball History vs Wake Forest University from Jan 3, 2010 - Dec 14, 2019". goxavier.com. Xavier University. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

External links edit