Zach Freemantle - Tough As Nails

[SemajParlor]

I've watched a lot of basketball, he has all the makings for a Xavier great one.

Zach Freemantle appreciation thread.

[bleedXblue]

Yes and this may be the game he turned the corner as well........I think he's starting to believe that he belongs at this level.

[xu82]

Yes and this may be the game he turned the corner as well........I think he's starting to believe that he belongs at this level.

I KNOW he belongs! My brother-in-law started texting me in the first half. He’s not an X fan by any means, but happened to tune in and wanted to go on and on about Zach. He’s going to be an All-Time favorite before it’s over. Just keep working, young man. Finish this year strong, and get ready to lead next year with a lot of young talent coming in!


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[DART87]

Gotta love those PFs from Teaneck NJ!

[xukeith]

Gotta love those PFs from Teaneck NJ!

I encourage every X fan to watch the Press conference tonight as Steele says Zach is 100% all in and he is super laser focused on winning. Very intense. Loved seeing Tyrique Jones grab Zach and will him to realize the awesomeness of a giant play .

[SemajParlor]

Gotta love those PFs from Teaneck NJ!

DWest, Chalmers, Zach, Tu, Lyons, Myles Davis, Naji, Tyrique. NY,NJ,CT has been very good to Xavier.

[Muskie]

I encourage every X fan to watch the Press conference tonight as Steele says Zach is 100% all in and he is super laser focused on winning. Very intense. Loved seeing Tyrique Jones grab Zach and will him to realize the awesomeness of a giant play .

I said this about Jones a few games back, but it's as if some of the team has decided that if there is no NCAA Tournament it won't be because of them.

[XU 87]

I've been told that his team nickname given to him by the players is "Tough".

[noteggs]

I encourage every X fan to watch the Press conference tonight as Steele says Zach is 100% all in and he is super laser focused on winning. Very intense. Loved seeing Tyrique Jones grab Zach and will him to realize the awesomeness of a giant play .

It was a great moment! For those who can’t watch it enough like myself.

https://twitter.com/ryanquilty1/status/1229580099277742081?s=12

[Mrs. Garrett]

I said this about Jones a few games back, but it's as if some of the team has decided that if there is no NCAA Tournament it won't be because of them.

100% agree. I'm pretty sure there's a post around here somewhere from me questioning whether any of the guys care. They have more than shown that they care since the SH game.

[Lamont Sanford]

I've been told that his team nickname given to him by the players is "Tough".

I thought it was "Frosty".

[xudash]

I said this about Jones a few games back, but it's as if some of the team has decided that if there is no NCAA Tournament it won't be because of them.

Leave Q behind, in the sense that you allow him to dress, but he sits shall we say not close to the coaches during games. Jones, Marshall and Scruggs with all their capabilities to go along with all their warts. Carter, and hopefully with a notch up in contributions from here on out. Bryce contributing solid minutes. KyKy and Freemantle.

Hell, the fire in Jones from that video clip may evidence the fire that propels them from here to at least an adequately successful season.

[atljar]

Does anyone else think this thread title is slighty inappropriate? I mean, tough as nails, for a Catholic University, just conjures up thoughts of Jesus pinned to the cross.

Discuss.

[Masterofreality]

I encourage every X fan to watch the Press conference tonight as Steele says Zach is 100% all in and he is super laser focused on winning. Very intense. Loved seeing Tyrique Jones grab Zach and will him to realize the awesomeness of a giant play .

Just as impressive to me was that after the great basket that Naji muscled the ball to Zach to score, Zach was still laser focused, grabbed the next defensive rebound, then calmly sinks 2 frees in Madison Square Garden like it was in the local park. No big deal, right?

[Masterofreality]

Leave Q behind, in the sense that you allow him to dress, but he sits shall we say not close to the coaches during games.

Hell, the fire in Jones from that video clip may evidence the fire that propels them from here to at least an adequately successful season.

I just hope Q gets his 1,000 point. Other than that, whatever.

Tyrique has assumed the Malcomb Bernard mantle of 2017. He's the Unquestioned, Unbreakable Leader. With Big Shoulders that can carry the load.

[XU 87]

Does anyone else think this thread title is slighty inappropriate? I mean, tough as nails, for a Catholic University, just conjures up thoughts of Jesus pinned to the cross.

Discuss.

Xeus, he raises a good point.

[XU 87]

Leave Q behind, in the sense that you allow him to dress, but he sits shall we say not close to the coaches during games.

There's no doubt that Q is offering little if anything anymore. That said, I do find it a little sad that a three year starter is ending his career on this note.

[Xavier]

There's no doubt that Q is offering little if anything anymore. That said, I do find it a little sad that a three year starter is ending his career on this note.

Obviously not as extreme- but I have never seen an ending worse than Myles Davis. That was bizarre

[94GRAD]

Xeus, he raises a good point.

Just like Jesus!

[Caf]

Does anyone else think this thread title is slighty inappropriate? I mean, tough as nails, for a Catholic University, just conjures up thoughts of Jesus pinned to the cross.

Discuss.

Keep fighting the good fight.

[SemajParlor]

Keep fighting the good fight.

It's the important things on this board that keeps me coming back. Like this guy's concern about not being able to post in a thread referencing slavery, a week later. He's a true hero for the cause.

[XU 87]

Obviously not as extreme- but I have never seen an ending worse than Myles Davis. That was bizarre

True, but that was because of off-the-court and self-inflicted issues. Q is a three year starter who isn't playing much because he doesn't contribute much anymore. you don't see that scenario too often.

Whatever happened to Myles Davis? Did he got to Europe?

[SemajParlor]

True, but that was because of off-the-court and self-inflicted issues. Q is a three year starter who isn't playing much because he doesn't contribute much anymore. you don't see that scenario too often.

Whatever happened to Myles Davis? Did he got to Europe?

Funny, I was watching old clips of that fantastic team on Youtube recently. I think people forget how important and good he was for us. At least I did.

[whopper]

you saw the game he outplayed Archidiacamo with a triple double.He ended up playing a poor game against Wisconsin (a couple of live ball turnovers and a switch on Koenig that led to the TYING 3 pointer when Abel picked). He actually had ONE point his senior year which is incredibly sad. I still think Q can help as we need 20 min a game from him and Moore combined. They have no need to conserve energy or fouls.. If they can combine for (say) 6 pos,3 Reb and 3 assists that would be HUGE. It involved them playing as hungry as Freshmen trying to earn playing time, with Q using his strength to be almost a point forward and Bryce using his motor to bother and create turnovers(we create very few). If Tyrique, Paul, and Naj can privately talk to Q (and Moore who they know less) it can be done and I have seen it done; I remember Ginoboli(think others too) when self and team in slump volunteered to change their role and it worked. Better than 20 min with 0 points and 1 rebound and 4 fouls which we had last night. They are WAY too good for that.

[IM4X]

Funny, I was watching old clips of that fantastic team on Youtube recently. I think people forget how important and good he was for us. At least I did.

Yup. I think the fact that he played so poorly in some very important games (a certain BE tournament game I went to comes to mind) makes some of us forget those other games where he was so instrumental in the victory.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Obviously not as extreme- but I have never seen an ending worse than Myles Davis. That was bizarre

Can I throw Dedrick Finn’s name into this competition?

[xudash]

Can I throw Dedrick Finn’s name into this competition?

Should we have categories: dog related versus non-dog related.

[scoscox]

Can I throw Dedrick Finn’s name into this competition?

dedrick was the original myles.

myles was an extremely important piece of that team. i think the reason we underachieved somewhat at the beginning of that year was missing myles. we ended the season more than okay, but could've been that much better with myles. really a shame.

[drudy23]

I choose to remember the run to the Elite 8 and his half-court shot against Miss St.

Most everything else is forgiven after that.

[scoscox]

I choose to remember the run to the Elite 8 and his half-court shot against Miss St.

Most everything else is forgiven after that.

Cole with the rebounnnnnnd...... dedrick finnnnnnnnn.... OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH HE RIPPED IT! COUNT IT!

[N67ER]

Does anyone else think this thread title is slighty inappropriate? I mean, tough as nails, for a Catholic University, just conjures up thoughts of Jesus pinned to the cross.

Discuss.

Tough as Nails Meaning: Strong and stubborn or determined.

This common idiom originated in the early 1800‘s as ’hard as nails’ and later morphed to the more modern usage ’tough as nails.’

Has nothing whatsoever to do with Jesus or the cross.

I like the name of the thread. With the frequency with which we turn the ball over, we damned well better be tough as nails if we expect to win!

[XU_Lou]

Does anyone else think this thread title is slighty inappropriate? I mean, tough as nails, for a Catholic University, just conjures up thoughts of Jesus pinned to the cross.

Discuss.

Are you a millennial by any chance?

[smileyy]

It's a riff on the Tyrique Unchained thread, guys...

[IM4X]

I choose to remember the run to the Elite 8 and his half-court shot against Miss St.

Most everything else is forgiven after that.

Apparently we have the same selective memory.

[American X]

Zach Freemantle Named BIG EAST Player Of The Week (https://goxavier.com/news/2020/12/7/mens-basketball-zach-freemantle-named-big-east-player-of-the-week.aspx)

[American X]

Nuke Freemantle owns college basketball. Face it, it's his.

[X Factor]

7 games into his sophomore year, he's averaging 19 points and 8 rebounds while shooting 63% from the field and 44% from three!!

[Snipe]

Nuke Freemantle owns college basketball. Face it, it's his.

I honestly thought his name was ThreeMantle

Kid has got game.

Straight out baller

[American X]

Nuke Freemantle Named To Big East Honor Roll (https://goxavier.com/news/2020/12/14/mens-basketball-zach-freemantle-earns-more-big-east-accolades.aspx)

Also named College Sports Madness Big East Player of the Week (and it's about damn time!).

[UCGRAD4X]

I honestly thought his name was ThreeMantle

Kid has got game.

Straight out baller

I guess watching the games sober is out of the question.

[Xuperman]

Aside from the gloom and doom....let's hear it for Zach!

Game high 20 on 8-16 from the field. 2-5 from 3 and perfect from the line. Mixed up his 9 boards nicely...4 O's - 5 D's. 3-0 assist/TO with 2 steals and one block. That covers about everything. Easily outplayed Mamu statistically.... not close really.

[American X]

Freemantle quotes on his 8 point stretch:

''I knew I had to get it up because anything is better than a turnover; I was going to shoot that one regardless,'' Freemantle said of the first 3.

On the rebound: ''I jumped over a guard. I'm a big. The law of verticality. That was a layup.''

On the final 3: ''(The defender's) standing in the paint. That was kind of disrespectful, so I had to shoot that one.''

[IM4X]

Freemantle quotes on his 8 point stretch:

''I knew I had to get it up because anything is better than a turnover; I was going to shoot that one regardless,'' Freemantle said of the first 3.

On the rebound: ''I jumped over a guard. I'm a big. The law of verticality. That was a layup.''

On the final 3: ''(The defender's) standing in the paint. That was kind of disrespectful, so I had to shoot that one.''


Got to love that Free-speech.

He has really been buying in width Miller and by doing so is becoming better and better. I knew he had this in him. I had faith he would turn things around with a coach who is more demanding and disciplined.

This is player I always thought we were going to see back when I watched him play at Bergen Catholic. When he gets in his zone early - look out. He still needs to keep working on getting better defending bigs his size and bigger, but man is he a special player when he finds his groove.

[boozehound]

Fully bought in Freemantle looks like the Zach we all thought we were getting after his Freshmen season. I love seeing this. It's what great coaches do - the put players in the position to be successful and achieve their goals.

[Smails]

Fully bought in Freemantle looks like the Zach we all thought we were getting after his Freshmen season. I love seeing this. It's what great coaches do - the put players in the position to be successful and achieve their goals.

Hear me out here: I'm a total homer, but I think there's a potential case to be made for Free to come back next year. He showed incredible potential as a freshman and then a couple meh seasons which lacked discipline...now he's putting together an All Big East campaign. Is it crazy far fetched to think that he can hit the NBA radar if he were able to stack 2 seasons on top of each other? Just sayin..

[xukeith]

Zach has worked his tail off. Year round he is getting his body in tip-top shape and spending hours and hours at the gym.

Tyler who?

Remember the whispers during the NIT where posters swore he was transferring and lots wished him farewell?

I would be ecstatic if he played another year for X. Having doubts though as he is a senior and wants that European $.

[XUGRAD80]

Hear me out here: I'm a total homer, but I think there's a potential case to be made for Free to come back next year. He showed incredible potential as a freshman and then a couple meh seasons which lacked discipline...now he's putting together an All Big East campaign. Is it crazy far fetched to think that he can hit the NBA radar if he were able to stack 2 seasons on top of each other? Just sayin..

If he continues to play at the level he is playing at right now for the rest of the season, he will certainly be an all conference player and possibly the player of the year. Can’t think of a reason for him to come back at that point, UNLESS X falls on its face the rest of the season and fails to reach its potential as a team. (Possible but no likely IMO)

[MHettel]

If he continues to play at the level he is playing at right now for the rest of the season, he will certainly be an all conference player and possibly the player of the year. Can’t think of a reason for him to come back at that point, UNLESS X falls on its face the rest of the season and fails to reach its potential as a team. (Possible but no likely IMO)

i would agree with you under "normal" circumstances.

i always can see a reason for a kid to return if he hasnt yet earned his degree. Thats something of value that can be used for the rest of their life.

But a kid with his degree would "normally" lack that incentive.

But for freemantle, having a Covid year and the prospect of NIL it could be a business decision. Why leave school to try to play basketball for money is you can STAY in school and play basketball for money?

the covid extra year situation makes this a unique opportunity for Free. I say maybe he does come back

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

i would agree with you under "normal" circumstances.

i always can see a reason for a kid to return if he hasnt yet earned his degree. Thats something of value that can be used for the rest of their life.

But a kid with his degree would "normally" lack that incentive.

But for freemantle, having a Covid year and the prospect of NIL it could be a business decision. Why leave school to try to play basketball for money is you can STAY in school and play basketball for money?

the covid extra year situation makes this a unique opportunity for Free. I say maybe he does come back

That just does not seem realistic. I believe Free wants to continue playing professionally in some capacity. He saw Scruggs blow out his knee in the NIT last year and I do not think he will risk that type of injury (and loss of value that goes with it) by coming back for another year. Anyone advising him will likely tell him not to return.

[xu82]

i would agree with you under "normal" circumstances.

i always can see a reason for a kid to return if he hasnt yet earned his degree. Thats something of value that can be used for the rest of their life.

But a kid with his degree would "normally" lack that incentive.

But for freemantle, having a Covid year and the prospect of NIL it could be a business decision. Why leave school to try to play basketball for money is you can STAY in school and play basketball for money?

the covid extra year situation makes this a unique opportunity for Free. I say maybe he does come back

If the QB at Alabama can make more than the QB of the Eagles, anything is possible. It’s goofy time!

[XUGRAD80]

i would agree with you under "normal" circumstances.

i always can see a reason for a kid to return if he hasnt yet earned his degree. Thats something of value that can be used for the rest of their life.

But a kid with his degree would "normally" lack that incentive.

But for freemantle, having a Covid year and the prospect of NIL it could be a business decision. Why leave school to try to play basketball for money is you can STAY in school and play basketball for money?

the covid extra year situation makes this a unique opportunity for Free. I say maybe he does come back

I’d be very surprised if Xavier NIL money is at all competitive with the money he could make playing either G-League or overseas.

[xu82]

I’d be very surprised if Xavier NIL money is at all competitive with the money he could make playing either G-League or overseas.

I agree, but could it be “enough”?. Maybe split the difference roughly if he can help his longer term options?

I may be overly optimistic seeing what he should be now that he’s properly coached and inspired.

[XUGRAD80]

I agree, but could it be “enough”?. Maybe split the difference roughly if he can help his longer term options?

I may be overly optimistic seeing what he should be now that he’s properly coached and inspired.

Enough for what? He’s not going to be an NBA player except maybe as a 10-day call up when a team needs an emergency player. If he’s an all league player in the BE this year, there’s really no reason in my mind to think that he could be an all-American or POY by staying an extra year. He’s stock won’t be any higher than it is at the end of this year….if he plays the rest of the year like he is right now. So what does he have to gain by staying another year?

[xu82]

Enough for what? He’s not going to be an NBA player except maybe as a 10-day call up when a team needs an emergency player. If he’s an all league player in the BE this year, there’s really no reason in my mind to think that he could be an all-American or POY by staying an extra year. He’s stock won’t be any higher than it is at the end of this year….if he plays the rest of the year like he is right now. So what does he have to gain by staying another year?

If the NIL money is a reasonable fraction of what could be made in Europe, do you stay and try to increase your NBA potential? Europe will always be there. Plus you get additional education.

[XUGRAD80]

If the NIL money is a reasonable fraction of what could be made in Europe, do you stay and try to increase your NBA potential? Europe will always be there. Plus you get additional education.

Couldn’t he be increasing his NBA potential while playing pro somewhere overseas or the G-league, while getting paid at the same time? I think he could, and he would be able to solely concentrate on that while not having school as a distraction. Additional schooling will always be there if he wants it. He won’t be young forever.

[Xville]

I love the way that Free has been playing this year. It is inspiring and I am so happy for him. I hope he continues to solider on, and takes X to a final four. With that said, it does him zero good to stay another year in college. I don't think he ever sniffs the NBA...he's probably really about 6'7, and limited athletically at that level. Staying another year isn't going to change that, and he has a limited number of years available to play this game to make money. He could probably play in one of the upper echelon European teams coming out of school, call me crazy but I'll take the tax free few hundred grand +, live in a European City as a twentysomething over staying in Cincinnati and going to class.

[xu82]

Couldn’t he be increasing his NBA potential while playing pro somewhere overseas or the G-league, while getting paid at the same time? I think he could, and he would be able to solely concentrate on that while not having school as a distraction. Additional schooling will always be there if he wants it. He won’t be young forever.

Of course he could do either. I’m just wondering how different the money would be (substantially, I’m sure) and what his preferred experience would be, that’s all.

[bleedXblue]

Another year of school too. He would have to want to get a masters or additional degree

He could love college and want to come back to play another year if Colby returns too.

You would think that if they both come back, X would be very easily a preseason Top 25 team.

You never know. If I had to guess, I think its not likely he returns. Less than 50%

[xu82]

Another year of school too. He would have to want to get a masters or additional degree

He could love college and want to come back to play another year if Colby returns too.

You would think that if they both come back, X would be very easily a preseason Top 25 team.

You never know. If I had to guess, I think its not likely he returns. Less than 50%

I agree, it’s probably unlikely but we (or at least I) have no idea what motivates him. There are multiple possibilities.

[MHettel]

Another year of school too. He would have to want to get a masters or additional degree

He could love college and want to come back to play another year if Colby returns too.

You would think that if they both come back, X would be very easily a preseason Top 25 team.

You never know. If I had to guess, I think its not likely he returns. Less than 50%

I think I would say that his chances of returning are not ZERO. I'm not betting on it, but I could see a scenario where he just enjoys playing college BBall and could make some decent coin doing it.

[American X]

Freemantle is playing like the Preseason All Big East First Team from a year ago. We are watching him realize his full potential. 30 point game and another double-double.

If one of his guards could hit a shot against DePaul, he is looking at another BE Player of the Week.

[whopper]

I thought he was too afraid of getting his shot blocked last year and just forcing jump hooks. This year he does not care..I think he has more shots blocked than missed and that is a good thing . He looks ripped to and ready to hit the defense boards hard. Defense a little better too and we are getting the offensiive payoff too. And even alert passing out of doubles.

[Masterofreality]

Freemantle is playing like the Preseason All Big East First Team from a year ago. We are watching him realize his full potential. 30 point game and another double-double.

If one of his guards could hit a shot against DePaul, he is looking at another BE Player of the Week.

Sean Miller has totally turned this kids career around…starting with a preseason suspension.
Sean obviously took a course from the Bill Belichick school where you coach your stars the hardest. You hold them to the highest standards.
Sean took that strategy with Free, and man has it worked.
Props to both of them.

[American X]

You are left to wonder what kind of numbers Freemantle would put up if Xavier did not have such a balanced lineup and he had to be the guy every game.

[muskiefan82]

You are left to wonder what kind of numbers Freemantle would put up if Xavier did not have such a balanced lineup and he had to be the guy every game.

Not as many because other teams could focus on him. Having 5 or 6 guys who can easily put up double figures makes all of them more dangerous. I do have to say that getting close to a second triple double does speak well of his abilities. That is tough and he just keeps going and it just gets there at the end of the game

[zippin']

I've been hearing some rumors that Freemantle is hurt. Does anyone know anything about that? Hoping is isn't true...

[xavierj]

I've been hearing some rumors that Freemantle is hurt. Does anyone know anything about that? Hoping is isn't true...

Did he get hurt getting in the plane after the game? He wasn’t hurt during the game. He came out as Sean had seen enough after they couldn’t grab a rebound and went small, taking him and Nunge out.