Sports
By Oliver Thomas, Staff Writer
1. Conwell is as good as advertised
Junior guard Ryan Conwell has been everything the Xavier faithful has hoped for. The junior Indiana State transfer has averaged 20 points while going 50% from beyond the arc after the first two games, showing that he has the potential to be a high-performing three-point shooter. Conwell’s arsenal goes beyond shooting – he showed off elite playmaking with multiple impressive buckets and assists inside the paint.
2. Three-point defense needs to improve
The main reason Xavier was able to let both Texas Southern University and Indiana University Indianapolis hang around for as long as they did came down to weak three-point defense. Texas Southern shot 40% from beyond the three point line, allowing them to hold a 38-34 lead at half. IU Indy shot the long ball even better than Texas, shooting 50% from beyond the three. Head coach Sean Miller referred to the power of the three point shot as that’s what kept IU Indy in the game for so long. “When you give up 14-of-28 from three, that’s a concern,” Miller said.
3. The success of this season relies on Freemantle’s health
Indiana State transfer Ryan Conwell has shown off his skills, averaging 20 points and is 50% from beyond the three in the first two games of the season.
After missing the end of the 2022-23 season and all of the 2023-24 season, graduate forward Zach Freemantle made his much-anticipated return for the Musketeers in the season opener against Texas Southern. Freemantle wasted no time getting back to his old form, averaging 18 points and 8.5 rebounds while getting involved on defense with three blocks through the first two games.
Freemantle is a veteran member of this team, making him a key to their success. With center Lassina Traore out for the season, Freemantle’s presence offensively and defensively will be key, especially on the boards. Freemantle’s All-American potential is clear – the only question is if he can put a full season together.
4. Swain has taken a step forward
Sophomore forward Dailyn Swain already looks to have taken a much-anticipated leap in the first two games of this season. Swain is up forty pounds since last season, as he now holds a 6’8 220 pound frame.
“With Dailyn, so much of it is what he can become,” Miller said in an interview with 247 Sports. “I think the first order of business that he’s handled and taken care of is just physically – he’s really made a big jump.”
The NBA draft prospect has averaged 10 points, five rebounds and 3.5 assists in the first two games. Swain’s importance to the team goes far beyond offense. He will be one of the team’s key defenders as his size and height will be significant when it comes to shutting down offenses.
5. All the new pieces need time to mesh
With six transfers on this year’s roster, it will take time for the team to adjust. From struggling to defend three-point shots to difficulty finding a rhythm on offense at times, there are some clear early growing pains.
“Some of it was shot selection, no doubt some of it was execution, but I do think a lot of it was opening night. We had been waiting a long time for this, we had some jitters,” Miller told the media after the win over Texas Southern.
The Musketeers even took a jump on offense as the bench went from a combined 0-11 on opening night against Texas Southern to 10-23 on Friday night against IU Indy. With all the new faces on this year’s team, it is going to take time for the team to hit their full potential. Have patience – the sky’s the limit once this team finds their rhythm.
