What to know as offseason begins for Xavier Musketeers basketball

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WATCH: Xavier’s season ends in NCAA Tournament loss to Illinois

Xavier’s season came to an end in Milwaukee Friday night after an 86-73 loss to No. 6 Illinois at Fiserv Forum.

The fast-paced nature of the NCAA Tournament brings the highest of highs and lowest of lows.

Forty-eight hours after an emotional comeback at UD Arena in the First Four, Xavier felt the other side of March Madness when its season ended in a loss to Illinois at Fiserv Forum.

“That’s the amazing nature of this tournament: you win, there’s no better feeling and you lose, God, it’s terrible,” Xavier head coach Sean Miller said.

More: Charles Barkley expected Xavier to beat Illinois, Kentucky in NCAA tournament

There are few breaks in the college basketball calendar as the offseason approaches just as rapidly.

Now it’s up to Xavier brass to quickly turn the page to building for next season.

More: Colby Jones Wizards breakout game: Former Xavier guard scores 24 points vs Jazz

When does the NCAA transfer portal open?

The NCAA transfer portal officially opens Monday. In October, the NCAA shortened the transfer portal window for the second consecutive year. The new window for the portal is just 30 days (down from 45) and it will close April 22.

Last spring, Xavier added seven players through the portal after its worst season in nearly 30 years. Xavier will be adding through the portal again, largely to replace some of the seven players who are out of eligibility.

Who will Xavier lose from the 2024-25 roster?

Xavier’s roster ranked No. 2 in KenPom in average Division I experience (3.54 years). That was an asset during the season, when veteran players led the charge from the bottom of the Big East to the NCAA Tournament.

It also makes the end even more difficult to digest. Xavier will lose several key pieces from the roster that took the floor against Illinois in Milwaukee.

Leaving Xavier is Zach Freemantle, Jerome Hunter, Dayvion McKnight, Marcus Foster, Dante Maddox Jr., Brad Colbert and Bob Nunge.

Add it up, it’s three…

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Source link : https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/2025/03/23/what-to-know-as-offseason-begins-for-xavier-musketeers-basketball/82616491007/

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Publish date : 2025-03-23 13:53:00

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