By Luke Essig, Sports Editor

            Richard Pitino spoke to the media Monday afternoon to preface Xavier men’s basketball’s first official practice of the season.

              “I know what it takes to win,” he said, sparking inspiration for the new season.

              There is a lot of uncertainty around Xavier basketball this season. After going to the NCAA tournament a year ago, Xavier failed to retain a single player or their head coach, Sean Miller for this season. 

They are entering the 25-26 season with a complete personnel overhaul, and with that, a lot of nerves. Pitino, a veteran coach, seemed to know exactly what to say to calm those nerves.

              Being new to Xavier, there is plenty that Pitino and the new roster must learn. “I’m on month six right now and it’s starting to feel like home,” Pitino said.

              Pitino is not new to coaching, either. He is entering his 14th year as a head coach of a collegiate basketball team.

              “When you first start out you try to justify why experience doesn’t matter because you’re a young head coach, but it does,” Pitino said. “I think less on an out of bounds play and more about the culture of the program.”

              It is inspiring to hear how committed Pitino is to Xavier basketball. After the heartbreak that ensued last offseason, hearing these words has been nothing short of fantastic.

              “People think that because of NIL and the portal that you can turn over a new roster and it’s no big deal, and obviously that’s what we want but I know it’s gonna take some time, development, and retention,” Pitino said.

              NIL has proven difficult to get around for Xavier in recent years. It is virtually impossible for a small school in Cincinnati to compete with the likes of the University of Texas.

              Pitino knows that he is inheriting not only a new team, but a whole community of diehards.

              “I understand the responsibility for sure. Xavier means a lot to a lot of people in this community,” he said.

              Xavier opens the season against Marist on Nov. 3. The following month and a half will prove to be extremely important for this season. Nobody knows what to expect, but Coach Pitino is confident he will lead this team to glory.