NEW YORK – It's hard to ignore the obvious. Three members of Xavier University's men's basketball team and head coach Travis Steele were seated at a table near midcourt, just off the floor Tuesday at Madison Square Garden for Big East Conference media day.
The same floor where last season came to an untimely end months earlier in a first-round loss at the conference tournament, stifling all hope of an NCAA Tournament berth.
One of the Musketeers in attendance was junior Zach Freemantle, a preseason first-team All-Big East selection by the coaches.
Freemantle's left foot, still covered in a walking boot, sat propped up on the table in front of him.
And even though his foot injury has kept him sidelined for about eight weeks, he said, there's confidence coming from the 6-foot-9 forward as he explains why this season will be different for the team picked to finish third in the Big East preseason coaches poll.
"I know I can't speak for anybody but myself, personally, but I know the feeling I got after we left this arena last year and I just can't feel like that again. I can't let it happen and I know my teammates feel the same way. We just can't let it happen, it's a must," said Freemantle.
The only way out is through and the only way to get back to where Xavier wants to go is to build consistency and finish the right way.
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"I'm excited for practice," Steele said at media day. "They probably get more excited for the games. I get excited every day for practice, to get it right. We didn't end the season the way we wanted to, it didn't go our way. We've gotta earn that right every single day. Games will take care of themselves if we have that approach."
Energy has to collide head-on with mindset, and it's a different energy that Paul Scruggs feels as he embarks on his fifth season of college basketball.
"Coming into the gym every day, everybody has a different type of energy about them," said Scruggs, a preseason first-team all-conference pick. "Everybody's willing to come and put the work in. Everybody's getting extra shots up. Nobody's in the gym watching. Just a different energy about this team."
It was Colby Jones' first media day experience. The sophomore guard, who was an All-Big East freshman selection last season, wasn't mentioned on any preseason all-conference lists this season, but there's a tangible excitement ushering Jones into his second season, which is why he was one of the Musketeers' representatives on Tuesday.
Jones spent the offseason working on his ball-handling, watching film from last season, and most noticeably, his body. He looks bigger and stronger, and he's also noticed what Scruggs has noticed about this year's team.
"I just love how we're all together," said Jones. "Nothing can break us up. It's like my second family really. We all play really hard ... but the main thing I like is how together we are as a team."
Before Jones even stepped foot on Xavier's campus, Steele described him as a "swiss-army knife" because he can do everything that's required on a basketball court.
He showed that as a freshman, and it's important to recognize that Jones did that in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic which altered the preseason and shut the team down three times during last season.
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If Jones can make a sophomore leap, he should play his way into all-conference consideration.
The situation with Freemantle's foot injury is concerning. He could wind up missing the start of the season depending upon how the rehab and healing process unfold.
But there was some good news on that front Tuesday.
Steele said that Jack Nunge, a 6-foot-11, 245-pound transfer from Iowa, is close to returning to live-action coming off a torn meniscus last February, and Steele said he hopes to play Nunge in the Nov. 5 exhibition game against Ferris State.
"He could play today," said Steele. "If we were playing today he would play. I just want to make sure we're dealing with him the right way because he's such a valuable piece to our team."
Musketeer Madness
Friday night will be the first public look at the 2021-22 Musketeers when Xavier takes the floor for its Musketeer Madness event.
For much of Xavier's roster, it will be their first experience in Cintas Center with a heavy fan presence following last season's limited capacity crowds.
"I'm definitely excited to get all the fans back," said Jones. "It brings another dynamic to the game. You gotta deal with the crowd on the road and at home. I'm excited to have fans back."
It will be a big night in the stands too. Tyrell Ward, a 2022 four-star Xavier commit, will be in attendance on an official visit, as well as a number of prospective recruits.
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