Musketeer Madness

My opinion of how Richard might play the 40 minutes. Obviously, not cast in stone for every game

Please tell me yours

My idea of what Xavier's 40-Minute Rotation Map is as of now

Beginning
0–4 minutes
Starters

Dominguez

Westry

Washington

Rolyns

Nwoko

Purpose: Establish physicality, get early rim pressure, set defensive tone.

4–8 minutes
Subs: Pozzato for Washington
Subs: Chitikoudis for Nwoko

Dominguez

Westry

Pozzato

Rolyns

Chitikoudis

Purpose:

Inject scoring pop with Pozzato

Keep size with Chitikoudis

Maintain spacing for Westry drives

8–12 minutes
Subs: Appelhans for Westry
Subs: Washington returns for Dominguez

Washington (on‑ball)

Appelhans

Pozzato

Rolyns

Chitikoudis

Purpose:

Washington attacks second units

Pozzato becomes primary scorer

Appelhans provides spacing

Chitikoudis anchors the paint

12–16 minutes
Subs: Dominguez for Washington
Subs: Nwoko for Chitikoudis
Subs: Westry for Appelhans

Dominguez

Westry

Pozzato

Rolyns

Nwoko

Purpose:

It is hoped that this is a high‑offense unit

Pozzato thrives as a cutter next to Nwoko

Westry + Pozzato = elite slashing pressure

16–20 minutes (End of Half)
Subs: Washington for Pozzato
Subs: House for Rolyns

Dominguez

Westry

Washington

House

Nwoko

Purpose: Close half with defense

Save Pozzato for second‑half burst

House takes toughest wing assignment

SECOND HALF (same pattern, but tighter)
20–24 minutes
Starters again

Dominguez

Westry

Washington

Rolyns

Nwoko

24–28 minutes
Subs: Pozzato for Washington
Subs: Chitikoudis for Nwoko

Dominguez

Westry

Pozzato

Rolyns

Chitikoudis

Purpose:

Pozzato enters early to punish adjustments

Chitikoudis provides fresh legs + rebounding

28–32 minutes
Subs: Appelhans for Westry
Subs: Washington for Dominguez

Washington

Appelhans

Pozzato

Rolyns

Chitikoudis

Purpose:

High‑energy, high‑spacing group

Pozzato becomes primary scorer

Appelhans keeps the floor wide

32–36 minutes
Subs: Dominguez for Washington
Subs: Nwoko for Chitikoudis
Subs: Westry for Appelhans

Dominguez

Westry

Pozzato

Rolyns

Nwoko

Purpose:

This is Xavier’s best two‑way lineup

Pozzato is a closing‑caliber wing

Westry + Pozzato + Nwoko = elite rim pressure

36–40 minutes (Closing Lineups)
Default closing lineup:
Dominguez

Westry

Pozzato

Rolyns

Nwoko

If you need shooting:
Dominguez

Westry

Appelhans

Pozzato

Nwoko

If you need defense:
Dominguez

Westry

Washington

House

Nwoko

If you need pace + scoring:
Dominguez

Pozzato

Washington

Rolyns

Nwoko

Pozzato closes 70–80% of Big East games.

Appelhans closes 20–30%, depending on shooting needs.

Muskieman I would be shocked if Pozzato doesn't start. Granted I have never seen most of the new guys but we need some athletic guys on the floor .I would be very surprised if Dominquez starts. He doesn't do much but shoot threes . He averaged 2 rebounds and 1 assists a game a game in 23 minutes.

You may be right but I think Richard will not just give Pozz the starting job after not playing since he was at Evenville.

WHY YOU SAY?
Dominguez is a 6-foot-6 wing from Texas A&M, and a proven shooter at a high level in the SEC. He averaged 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 23.3 minutes per game while shooting 40.7% from the field and 40% from 3-point range. He gives what Richard prioritized in the portal.

I also think Dominguez brings X a veteran international player who, besides playing for Texas A&M, has experience, including 150 professional games prior to his college career. He also played for the Spanish national team, winning gold at the FIBA U19 World Cup and silver at the FIBA U16 European Championship. He was named MVP in FIBA U19 World Cup where he averaged 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists

On the other hand, Pozz is a 6-foot-7 skilled forward and a high volume of 3-point attempts. He's a good athlete has length with a reported 6-foot-10 wingspan. Reports last year was he was a sure thing starter before his knee injury.

He's ranked as the No. 74 overall transfer and No. 16 small forward in last years portal . Pozzato came to Evansville an unranked international prospect after playing in the NBA Academy in Australia and he also represented Italy in the FIBA U18 European Championship, averaging 6.9 points and 2.4 rebounds over seven games. At Evansville, as a freshman, he shot 44.7% from the field and 31.7% from 3-point range

The difference might just be Pozz has not played in-game in over a year.

It is a nice position to be in for a coach. Both could get starter minutes next year. I hope they are difference makers in crunch time.

I cannot believe that we are able to even have this debate after the dumpster fires recently. Hats off to X staff and Administration for helping to get kids who appear to be able to play on the roster. Time will tell if they fit into a system together but this conversation the past few years was not a thing.

Jesseandrippers wrote: ↑

Fri May 08, 2026 12:50 pm

I cannot believe that we are able to even have this debate after the dumpster fires recently. Hats off to X staff and Administration for helping to get kids who appear to be able to play on the roster. Time will tell if they fit into a system together but this conversation the past few years was not a thing.

Come on, Jessie, this is a sports board, and we talk about sports. No one is claiming this or that player is not a valuable piece for Richard.

As for Pozz last year, he was expected to be the 6th man, and after a year off, I feel he might still be the 6th man unless he starts shooting lights out in the early season.

Jessie, I would love to hear your comments about who you think might be starter minutes and who might not, and why?

Let's get the ball rolling.

Mman,

Did Milicevic run away and join the circus?

The only way Pozzatto doesn't start is if he injures himself in preseason. He was the alpha on last year's team and apparently was playing that way until he got hurt. Also, until his three point shooting improves, he needs to cut his attempts to about 2 a game, but I suspect part of the volume was due to the fact that he played on Evansville.

I am really happy X got Dominguez, but he is a subpar defender. he and Milicevic are very similar in that regard; deadly shooters, who are vulnerable on D.

There are no 17 ppg guys on this team, but 4-5 who could be in the 11-13 ppg rang, a la the 08' team. X has guys with very diverse skill sets, and I see 8 players getting quality minutes.

Not allocating any minutes to freshman, though I'm sure some will play (i.e. House), I would guess the minute ranges will be something like this:

Westry 30-34 minutes
Washington 25-30 minutes
Nwoko 25-28 minutes
Pozzatto 22-28 minutes
Milicevic 22-28 minutes
Domingues 15-20 minutes
Aligbe 16-20 minutes
Chitikoudis 12-18 minutes
Westphal 3-7 minutes

I think Pozzatto truly is the X factor: Outstanding athelete in the open foor, very good slasher, and potentially, very good defensively. I love the fact that Pitino secured really quality depth when the starters don't play well.

Top 30 team on paper.

Milicevic for Rolyns to start. I guess Jovan slipped my mind. Let's hope he gives us that next-level play.

I do agree 22-28 minutes would be expected.

Here is my starting line up. Nwoko plays center and gets 25 minutes a game and goes for 14 points and 6 rebounds. He's a hatchet or he would play more. Pozzato plays the small forward spot and gets 25 minutes a game and goes for 15 points and 4 rebounds. Milicevic plays 23 minutes a game and goes for 12 points and 4 rebounds. Another foul prone guy. The starting front court is not very defensive minded. Washington plays 28 minutes a game and goes for 13 points and 4 rebounds a game. Westry is the final starter and goes for 28 minutes 16 points and 5 assists a game. Rolyns is the 6th man and plays 18 minutes a game and goes for around 7 points and 6 rebounds a game. Dominquez is the 8th man and plays 16 minutes a game and goes for 8 points a game. Chitikoudou will play about 12 minutes a game and get about 4 rebounds. I think House will be the 7th man and play about 15 minutes a game and average about 5 points and play good defense. I would be very surprised if Milicevic shoots 42% from the three point line again. He got a lot of wide open threes due to playing center and having Anderson pushing the ball before the defense could set up. I Hope he doesn't play any time at the center position. He can't defend centers.