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Josh Schertz on Xavier’s Ryan Conwell: “I think he’ll play in the NBA”

For the past two years, Xavier has served as a landing spot for mid-major guards (Souley Boum, Quincy Olivari) who aspired to take their games to a different level.

Indiana State transfer Ryan Conwell is next in line.

“I think he’ll play in the NBA,” Saint Louis head coach Josh Schertz — who coached Conwell over the past two seasons at Indiana State before taking his current post — said on this week’s edition of the College Hoops Today Podcast. “I think he’s an NBA combo guard. He’s got unbelievable size for the position. He’s got a great toughness about him. He can do everything offensively.”

That part was apparent last season as the 6-4 Conwell averaged 16.6 points and 5.8 rebounds for Indiana State, who won 32 games and lost in the finals of the Postseason NIT to Seton Hall. He also made 109 three-point shots while shooting a blistering 40.7 percent from long distance.

By comparison, Olivari — who played four years at Rice before transferring to Xavier — made 106 three-point shots last season while shooting 40.9 percent from long distance.

The addition of Conwell along with the return of Zach Freemantle (15.2 points, 8.1 rebounds) — who missed all of last season with a foot injury — are some of the reasons why the Musketeers — who are currently ranked 20th in the ROTHSTEIN 45 — could be one of college basketball’s most improved teams in 2024-25.

“They (Xavier) should be over the moon,” Schertz added regarding Conwell. “I’d be shocked if he’s not one of the better players in the Big East next season.”

Leftovers