Offseason speculation about Xavier’s men’s basketball team abounded as it retooled without four-year veteran point guard Dee Davis and do-it-all center Matt Stainbrook.
How would XU adapt to not playing through Stainbrook? How would Edmond Sumner and Larry Austin Jr. handle the point? Would Xavier endure its share of growing pains before finding its identity?
The Musketeers’ play through the first 11 games has answered all those questions. The team’s chemistry, belief in itself and dedication to program principles have ensured a program-record 11-0 start and a No. 10 perch in the rankings.
Asked how Xavier was able to bounce back so efficiently, coach Chris Mack pointed to good players that compete for one another and want to be coached.