CINCINNATI --- Xavier University head coach Travis Steele has been named as a finalist for the Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year Award, which is given annually to the nation's top first-year head coach in Division I.
Steele, who took over a team with no returning double-figure scorers, has led Xavier to a 17-14 record in his first season as the Musketeer head coach.
Xavier, which was picked to finish sixth in the BIG EAST Conference preseason coaches poll, won six of its last seven regular season BIG EAST games to finish tied for third in the league standings at 9-9.