Latest news with #XavierMusketeers
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Newport basketball standout Taylen Kinney includes Xavier Musketeers in top 12
Former Newport High School basketball standout Taylen Kinney, one of the most coveted recruits in the Class of 2026, is down to a dozen schools. According to Joe Tipton of On3 Sports, Kinney has included Xavier in his top 12. Kinney also listed Auburn, Kentucky, Louisville, Arkansas, Kansas, Purdue, Oregon, Tennessee, Miami, Indiana and Texas, which is led by former Xavier head coach Sean Miller. More: Ohio Sports Hall of Fame to honor 11 former Xavier Musketeers in 2025 class Kinney led Newport to back-to-back Ninth Region championships before leaving the school to join Overtime Elite in Georgia in 2024. Xavier was one of the first schools to offer the talented point guard in June 2023. Kinney is ranked by 247Sports as a five-star prospect and the No. 1 point guard in the nation for the Class of 2026. More: First look at Xavier's 2025-26 non-conference men's basketball schedule Kinney has already had visits to Purdue, Kentucky and Louisville, and has visits set up later this year at Kansas, Indiana, Oregon, Texas and Arkansas, according to multiple reports. In April, University of Kentucky head coach Mark Pope completed an in-home visit with Kinney. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Former Newport standout Tay Kinney includes Xavier in top 12 schools
Forbes
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
2025 NBA Draft Defined By Dynamic Talents With Untapped Potential.
DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 19: Tre Johnson #20 of the Texas Longhorns attempts a shot while being guarded ... More by Dante Maddox Jr. #21 of the Xavier Musketeers in the second half in the First Four game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at University of Dayton Arena on March 19, 2025 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by)While the 2025 NBA Draft features a projected generational talent and a handful of potential All-Star caliber players, this year's class is more than just the sum of its top-heavy parts. For NBA teams undergoing a rebuild or retool, their respective draft selections this Wednesday and Thursday can significantly shape the trajectory of their franchise for the remainder of the 2020s. The talent level of small forward Cooper Flagg has been a well-known fact since his high school days, when he emerged as a phenom from the state of Maine. He's the projected number one overall pick for the Dallas Mavericks, who won the draft lottery and the chance to secure a potential franchise cornerstone for post-Luka Dončić era. Yet, this draft is more than just Flagg. The talent that follows him varies between a collection of guards and wings that offer different skill sets as off-ball scorers and on-ball shot creators, alongside big men who either operate as rim protectors or crafty inside scorers. The Generational Talent RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 21: Cooper Flagg #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the first half ... More against the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers during a first round game of the men's NCAA basketball tournament at Lenovo Center on March 21, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by) Cooper Flagg is a modern-day NBA team's dream wing player. He can operate offensively with the ball in his hands as a three-level scorer and playmaker while remain an impactful force off-ball as a screener, spot-up shooter, cutter, and transition floor runner. What many arguably feel is the 6'8 Duke Blue Devil standout's best ability is his defense. His fluid movement, 6'11 wingspan and constant activity make him a defensive menace. He'll likely be a team's centerpiece on that side of the ball, even with the projected offensive scoring load on his shoulders. The Franchise Cornerstone INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 12: Dylan Harper #2 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights brings the ball up ... More court during the first half against the USC Trojans in the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament first round at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 12, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by) Scouts see guard Dylan Harper as the undisputed second-best prospect available, and it's primarily due to his scoring ability, playmaking upside and compact 6'6, 220-pound frame. The calling card of Harper's game is his driving ability. He has the frame to withstand contact and can finish amongst the trees with both hands fluidly. Against loaded defenses, he demonstrated an ability to find the open man amidst a crowd while relegating when to force the issue against a sea of defenders. Harper isn't devoid of faults, with the two main ones being his defensive focus and inconsistent jump-shooting. He'll need to have starter-level reps to fully maximize his ceiling as a player, which leads some to wonder about his ideal fit on a guard-saturated San Antonio Spurs team at second overall. Nonetheless, there's a pathway for the Rutgers product to fulfill his projected Cade Cunningham ceiling. It'll likely have to be in an environment where he is the primary distributor on a young, rebuilding team. The Early Impact Glue Guys RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 21: VJ Edgecombe #7 of the Baylor Bears celebrates at the end of the ... More second half in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Lenovo Center on March 21, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) Every NBA Draft class features a handful of glue guys who make their bones in the league as impact rookie role players. This year's class features a collection of them that play various positions. The leader of the Glue Guy Clubhouse is Baylor guard V.J. Edgecombe, who teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets have shown interest in. The 6'4 guard possesses elite athleticism to complement his high-level defensive effort and blossoming three-point shot making. Edgecombe's ability to be a contributor off-ball makes him an enticing early lottery pick. He can bolster a team with playoff aspirations while rounding out the remaining aspects of his on-ball offensive game during the early stages of his career. The same can be said about Duke's Kon Knueppel. During his freshman stint, he served triple duty as an on-ball creator/playmaker alongside Flagg and fellow draftee Tyrese Proctor. He's a high-level shotmaker with underrated finishing ability around the rack that makes him more than just a traditional shooting specialist. Both Edgecombe and Knueppel are deemed locks to round out the top-four of the NBA Draft due to their versatility as potential high-level secondary players. The High Risk, High Reward Prospects EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 29: Ace Bailey #4 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights high fives fans as he ... More leaves the court after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena on January 29, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by) There's no bigger risk during the NBA Draft process than a team buying into a draft prospect who has an unknown ceiling, and a radioactive floor. Two players that come to mind are Rutgers wing Ace Bailey and Texas guard Tre Johnson. Both are deemed high-level but volatile scorers who bring a skillset to the NBA that's somewhat masked by their questionable shot-making and limited two-way ability. Bailey has made headlines throughout the pre-draft process as a prospect who is hell-bent on forcing his way into a situation where his individual abilities are maximized. The rumored places are said to be the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets, who each are entering into year two of their lengthy rebuild process. Bailey has his flaws as a consistent scorer overall, but his flashes of brilliance are evident as an on-ball creator and off-ball shooter, cutter, and transition player. When engaged, he's one of the better help defenders in his class and a productive rebounder. However, his motor can occasionally run hot and cold. Johnson is a player teams and scouts love due to his elite-level shot making under duress, spotting up or on the move. However, he's not the best playmaker for others, is a guard who doesn't consistently get to or finish around the basket well, and may be one of the worst defenders projected to the lottery despite his 6'6 frame and 6'10 wingspan. There's still a pathway for Bailey to reach the ceiling of a more athletic Michael Porter Jr. and for Johnson to become a more offensively dynamic Cam Thomas. However, the risk of the two not panning out is just as daunting. NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 12: Jeremiah Fears #0 of the Oklahoma Sooners dribbles the ball against ... More the Kentucky Wildcats during the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament - First Round at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by) Beyond the headline stealers in this draft class are other draft prospects who provide skill sets to potential teams across the board. Some view Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears as the best non-Dylan Harper lead guard in the class. His athleticism, finishing ability and playmaking chops make him an intriguing young player to invest in for a rebuilding team. Illinois floor general Kasparas Jakucionis is regarded as one of the more fundamentally sounded pick and roll passers in the game and is crafty around the rim. His struggles defensively, lack of offensive burst and inconsistent shot making may cause pause for some lottery linked teams. Big men Khaman Maluach, Derik Queen and Thomas Sober are all unique frontcourt players who present different skillsets. Maluach is a traditional rim protector with a plate-finishing offensive skillset at 7'2. Queen is five inches shorter and more of the Alpren Sengun offensive mold as a polished, undersized post center. Despite possessing a combination of both Queen and Maluach's skillsets, Sober's draft stock has somewhat plummeted due to February foot surgery that prevented him from participating in the pre-draft process. Then there's the 6'10" Frenchman Noa Essengue, a frontcourt hybrid player who can plate-finish around the hoop while defend within the paint and on the perimeter . Additionally, Carter Bryant, Cedric Coward, Nique Clifford, and Collin Murray-Boyles are projected wing options in the lottery. Coward, Bryant, and Clifford are all stereotypical three-and-D guys, with Clifford being thought of having the best chance of developing into a versatile two-way forward. Murray-Boyles, who stands 6'7", is more of a tweener than the other three. He has a back-to-the-basket style offensive player with a natural playmaking ability. He is also among the most versatile and successful defenders in the class, demonstrating impact on both ends of the court comparable to that of Draymond Green.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kam Craft, Miami RedHawks guard who played at Xavier, to visit Dayton, DePaul, per report
Kam Craft, Miami RedHawks guard who played at Xavier, to visit Dayton, DePaul, per report Former Xavier Musketeers guard Kam Craft, who entered the transfer portal after one season with the Miami University RedHawks, scheduled a visit Monday to Dayton and April 12 to DePaul, according to a report Sunday from On3sports' Joe Tipton. Tipton added that Craft also has received interest from the Cincinnati Bearcats, Clemson, Oklahoma State, Florida State, Rutgers, Michigan, Vanderbilt and others. Advertisement Craft started all 34 games in which he played last season for MU, averaging 13.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 43.1 percent from 3-point range. He scored 40 points on 13-of-22 from the field in Miami's win against Toledo in February. The Miami RedHawks' Kam Craft defends Kent's VonCameron Davis. Craft, who starred at Buffalo Grove High School in Illinois, joined the RedHawks' roster in April 2024. As a freshman at XU during the 2022-23 season, Craft averaged 2.6 points and 1.5 rebounds per game in 15 games. He did not play during the 2023-24 season because of injury. Craft committed to the Musketeers in 2021, when current RedHawks head coach Travis Steele was Xavier's head coach. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kam Craft: Miami-Ohio guard in transfer portal to visit Dayton, DePaul
Fox Sports
21-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Illinois vs. Xavier Prediction, Odds, Picks - NCAA Tournament First Round
Data Skrive The No. 6 seed Illinois Fighting Illini (21-12) will look to defeat the No. 11 seed Xavier Musketeers (22-11) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at Fiserv Forum. This contest tips off at 9:45 p.m. ET. The Fighting Illini head into their game as a 3.5-point favorite against the Musketeers. The point total for the game is set at 161.5. Continue scrolling to get the download ahead of placing bets on the Illinois-Xavier game. Illinois vs. Xavier Game Information & Odds When: Friday, March 21, 2025 at 9:45 p.m. ET Where: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin How to watch on TV: CBS Live boxscore on FOX Sports Fighting Illini vs Musketeers Betting Information Favorite Spread Favorite Spread Odds Underdog Spread Odds Total Over Total Odds Under Total Odds Favorite Moneyline Underdog Moneyline Fighting Illini -3.5 -125 -105 161.5 -110 -110 -185 +154 Illinois vs. Xavier Prediction Pick ATS: Illinois (-3.5) Pick OU: Under (161.5) Prediction: Illinois 79, Xavier 75 Learn more about the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. the Xavier Musketeers game on FOX Sports! Illinois vs. Xavier Betting Insights Betting Line Implied Predictions Per the spread and over/under, the implied score for the game is Fighting Illini 82, Musketeers 79. The Fighting Illini have a 64.9% chance to win this meeting per the moneyline's implied probability. The Musketeers hold a 39.4% implied probability to win. Key Spread Facts Illinois has compiled a 16-15-0 ATS record so far this year. Xavier has compiled a 19-14-0 ATS record so far this season. Illinois has an ATS record of 13-10 when playing as at least 3.5-point favorites this season. Xavier has an ATS record of 4-2 when playing as at least 3.5-point underdogs this year. Key Total Facts The Fighting Illini games have had more than 161.5 points scored on 13 occasions this year. There have been nine Musketeers games this season with more than 161.5 points scored. The Fighting Illini and Musketeers average 162.1 points per game combined, which is 0.6 more than the over/under for this matchup. Key Moneyline Facts Illinois has won 72.7% of its games this season when the moneyline favorite (16-6). This season, Xavier has won one out of the 12 games, or 8.3%, in which it has been the underdog. In games it has played as a moneyline favorite with odds of -185 or shorter, Illinois has gone 14-5 (73.7% win percentage). Xavier has a record of 1-5 when it is set as the underdog by +154 or more by sportsbooks this season. Illinois vs. Xavier: 2024-25 Stats Comparison Illinois Xavier Points Scored Per Game (Rank) 83.8 (9) 78.3 (72) Points Allowed (Rank) 74.6 (258) 71.2 (154) Rebounds (Rank) 11.8 (16) 6.1 (347) 3pt Made (Rank) 9.4 (46) 8.4 (101) Assists (Rank) 15 (79) 16.9 (15) Turnovers (Rank) 11.3 (199) 10.5 (117) Illinois 2024-25 Key Players Xavier 2024-25 Key Players FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Big Ten Illinois Fighting Illini Xavier Musketeers recommended
USA Today
21-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Xavier Musketeers: March Madness First Round live stream, TV channel, start time, odds
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Xavier Musketeers: March Madness First Round live stream, TV channel, start time, odds The No. 6 seed Illinois Fighting Illini (21-12) will try to defeat the No. 11 seed Xavier Musketeers (22-11) in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at Fiserv Forum. Watch this matchup at 9:45 p.m. ET on CBS. In its most recent game, Illinois fell to Maryland, 88-65, on the road. Its top performers were Kasparas Jakucionis (15 PTS, 10 REB, 40.00 FG%) and Will Riley (15 PTS, 7 REB, 46.15 FG%, 2-6 from 3PT). Xavier fell on the road to Texas 80-86 last time out, and were led by Marcus Foster (22 PTS, 8 REB, 88.89 FG%, 4-5 from 3PT) and Zach Freemantle (15 PTS, 46.15 FG%). Prepare for this matchup with what you need to know before Friday's college basketball action. Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll Watch the NCAA Tournament on Sling TV! Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Xavier Musketeers Game day: Friday, March 21, 2025 Friday, March 21, 2025 Game time: 9:45 p.m. ET 9:45 p.m. ET TV: CBS CBS Live stream: Paramount+ - Watch Now! NCAA Basketball Odds and Betting Lines Spread: Illinois -3.5 Illinois -3.5 Total: 160.5 College basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Friday at 8:59 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Watch the NCAA Tournament on Sling TV! Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.
