Muskie
10-11-2019, 08:17 AM
Link (https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/27815172/second-year-coaches-ascending-stagnating)
Steele was thrust into the starring role two spring ago, when Chris Mack left for Louisville. Xavier promoted Steele to replace his boss, and as a first-year head coach, there were some growing pains. The Musketeers lost three of their first five games of the season and were up and down until a six-game losing streak in January and February dropped them to 11-13. But they won six of seven to end the regular season and have momentum entering the new season.That momentum has helped Xavier garner a number of preseason top-25 rankings, as the Musketeers bring back four stalwarts in Naji Marshall (http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4278594/naji-marshall), Paul Scruggs (http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4278591/paul-scruggs), Tyrique Jones (http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4065846/tyrique-jones) and Quentin Goodin (http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4065847/quentin-goodin). They also bring in a top-25 recruiting class and two graduate transfers. This team is more talented, more experienced and deeper than a season ago."I think we'll have to be able to manage egos," Steele said. "I think we're more talented than we were last year. But our guys are going to have to be willing to sacrifice in order to win. We're deeper. So maybe all of a sudden Naji Marshall isn't playing 36 minutes a night; he may go down to 32. Instead of 14 shots, it's 11. Are guys willing to sacrifice for one another to win? I think that's a huge thing. We are deeper -- but sometimes that's a blessing and a sacrifice."Guys are going at each other in a good way. Iron sharpens iron, it makes us better -- last year we were just trying to get through the year without an injury. We were one injury away from being completely done. It makes those guys better.Steele has already gotten a jump start on 2020, with a top-10 recruiting class as it stands. But on the court, he also has Xavier ready to get back to the NCAA tournament in year two.
Steele was thrust into the starring role two spring ago, when Chris Mack left for Louisville. Xavier promoted Steele to replace his boss, and as a first-year head coach, there were some growing pains. The Musketeers lost three of their first five games of the season and were up and down until a six-game losing streak in January and February dropped them to 11-13. But they won six of seven to end the regular season and have momentum entering the new season.That momentum has helped Xavier garner a number of preseason top-25 rankings, as the Musketeers bring back four stalwarts in Naji Marshall (http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4278594/naji-marshall), Paul Scruggs (http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4278591/paul-scruggs), Tyrique Jones (http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4065846/tyrique-jones) and Quentin Goodin (http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4065847/quentin-goodin). They also bring in a top-25 recruiting class and two graduate transfers. This team is more talented, more experienced and deeper than a season ago."I think we'll have to be able to manage egos," Steele said. "I think we're more talented than we were last year. But our guys are going to have to be willing to sacrifice in order to win. We're deeper. So maybe all of a sudden Naji Marshall isn't playing 36 minutes a night; he may go down to 32. Instead of 14 shots, it's 11. Are guys willing to sacrifice for one another to win? I think that's a huge thing. We are deeper -- but sometimes that's a blessing and a sacrifice."Guys are going at each other in a good way. Iron sharpens iron, it makes us better -- last year we were just trying to get through the year without an injury. We were one injury away from being completely done. It makes those guys better.Steele has already gotten a jump start on 2020, with a top-10 recruiting class as it stands. But on the court, he also has Xavier ready to get back to the NCAA tournament in year two.