Portal

[muskieman]

One of the things I think muskie fans might like about the team RP is building; it is not like the former coaches have built.

Richard ikes D, but as an aggressive, pressured man-to-man, that is simple but based on effort. ON THE BALL PRESSURE. Oh, he has played matchup zones, but he wants to play on the ball D without fouling and crash the boards rebounding. He knows guys hate going against insane ball pressure so he likes to do what opponents players hate. One thing RP likes is making opponents feel constantly uncomfortable

Here is a good interview about RP from a few years ago during Covid times, which should delight the fanbase. His time in Minnesota really made him grow, and his success in New Mexico proved it. He talks about the reason he doesn't use the match-up zones or the crazy Ds, but also how he views coaching and doesn't make excuses because a player doesn't have them. He looks at other successful coaches and what they do to succeed. Worth listening to the entire interview. https://youtu.be/sOZ_Ayl1a5I

[muskieman]

It's an important weekend with a visit from Florida Atlantic transfer Tre Carroll this weekend. As the dead period ends, the first guy in will be Tre. One year of eligibility left this 6'7" forward averaged 12.2 PPG 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 asissts/gm playing 22.1 minutes/game and 52.3% from the field, 38.8% from 3 point line. In FAU’s three games against ranked opponents this season, Carroll averaged 17.7 points per game. In fact, the 6-foot-7 redshirt junior erupted for 24 points and eight rebounds on 10-15 shooting against Michigan State.

Some of his highlights: https://youtu.be/llvNiUo_t_s

There is a high sense of anticipation and success. Let's hope RP and staff is successful in their efforts or decide there are other opportunities

[muskieman]

One more added as Tre Carroll answers RP's call to be a muskie. Florida native had received interest from Xavier along with Miami, Providence, USC, NC State

[Anti-Homer]

I love the Carroll pick up, but this is the one I really wanted.

From Paul F:
Xavier's seventh portal commit:

Gabriel Pozzato, 6-7, from Rome, Italy, was a freshman at Evansville. Has 3 years remaining.

Started in all 24 games he played in, averaged 14.9 pts/4.4 reb. MVC All-Freshman team. They beat out some high majors. Top 5 weeks ago were supposedly Baylor, Ill, Gonzaga, X & BYU.BYU suppsoedley offered a nice bag, so I would be X paid him close to $1M. Thankfully, Richie Saunders is returning, or they may have offered him an amount he couldn't refuse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sxozYPtjDc

Based on his highlights, he is really athletic and has the potential to be a dynamic scorer and disruptor on D. He reminds me of former UNLV East wing Dan Skillings (natural 3, but can play the 2) as a sophomore, who oozed potential and seemed to be NBA-bound. Wes Miller has continues to not turn UC into Development U. Continuing the tradition of Cronin.

He has an explosive 1st step and gets into the lane really well. He also scores well in transition. His weakness is apparently shooting off of the dribble, but that will certainly improve. Surround him with at least a couple of really good shooters to space out, and he can get to the hole.

He also played in the same conference with Wright, so they have familiarity with each other. Wish list? That stretch 4 Ante B from Charleston. X has reached out, but so have many others. There are still a lot of stretch 4s in the portal. X needs one who is a three-level scorer and is at least a respectable defensive player.

Well done.

[muskieman]

More News

Xavier men’s basketball has landed a commitment from Evansville transfer forward Gabriel Pozzato, 6' 7" according to Joe Tipton of On3 Sports. 14.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG and scored 20 or more points in seven game last year. Hone: Rome, Italy

[Kevin Reilly]

Well I was the one who called for patience and I was the first one to run out of patience. Very good weekend for the Muskies so far. I was beginning to think we would have trouble scoring 50 points a game. Pozatto was a huge pick up. He looks very young and very springy. Hopefully Carroll can help with the scoring too. We have 7 new guys of which four ( maybe 5 Wright ) are foreign players. Also we have four new guys 6-9 or taller. We couldn't look much different from last year. I know we have two new shot blockers but I don't see any wing or guard defenders. Maybe they will come next? I feel a LOT better about next year than I did Thursday. You never know with the N.I.L. money .Happy we were able to close on Carrol and Pozatto.

[Anti-Homer]

Malik Moore, Montana Grizzlies
I think will be the starting 2 guard.

MalikMoore · Class. Junior · HT/WT. 6' 5", 190 lbs ·
2024-25 season stats. PTS. 12.6. 150+. REB. 3.2.
Career, 39% + 3-point shooter.

Visited Illinois and is supposed to visit X. I believe Oregon was in the mix as well. Two X players started following him today, and two prognosticators (Trilly Donovan and an ON3 guy) predict he will go to X. Me likes this potential pickup. Still need an alpha 4-5.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... highlights[/u]

Edit: I may have been premature on the Illinois visit. I think that is pending. Nevertheless, this would give X a shart shooter, whcih they depserately need. Both Wright and Collins shoot treys in the high 30, but you need at least four of those guys, and one who is a Conwell/Olivari type: can hir treys from any spot on the floor, and with deep range.

[Anti-Homer]

They also need a backup PG with a great handle as well, since they play in a physical league with 4 games against top 10 pressure defenses (Johnnies and Marquette). Get me Ante from CoC as well!

[Anti-Homer]

It's official, and Moore now becomes the highest-rated prospect, with Pozzato right after. Pozzato was rated the 15th best SF, but I'm unsure where Moore ranks. Pitnio is killing it so far!

[Kevin Reilly]

Wow great weekend. Where is all this N.I.L. money coming from? From Miller's buyout?