College Hoops Today

Serving College Basketball 365 Days a Year

Sean Miller on freshman Desmond Claude: “I’ve been really impressed with him”

CINCINNATI — Xavier returns four of its top six scorers — Jack Nunge, Colby Jones, Zach Freemantle (currently suspended indefinitely), and Adam Kunkel — from last season’s team that won the Postseason NIT, but it’s a newcomer that has instantly stood out to Sean Miller and the rest of the Musketeers’ staff.

Enter freshman point guard Desmond Claude.

“I’ve been really impressed with him,” Miller said of the 6-5 Claude following Wednesday’s practice at the Cintas Center. “His size is an advantage. A lot of people aspire to be a big point guard — that’s what Desmond is.”

The potential emergence of Claude could be a game changer for Xavier during the upcoming season. If he can handle major minutes as a freshman, it could allow Miller to pair him for long stretches in the backcourt with UTEP grad transfer Souley Boum (19.8 points), who is expected to be a starter. Claude could ultimately allow Boum — a gifted scorer — to slide off the ball when both are on the floor at the same time.

“He gives us more versatility,” Miller said of Claude. “He’s very poised. He plays with really good pace. One of the things that I love about him is that you can’t speed him up.”

Claude, Boum, and freshman sharpshooter Kam Craft are all perimeter newcomers that figure to have a place in the Musketeers’ rotation.

Xavier finished 18-13 last year prior to the postseason under Travis Steele, who is now the head coach at Miami (Ohio). Six of the those losses occurred by four points or fewer, with two coming in overtime.

This is the Miller’s second tour of duty with the Musketeers. He was previously the head coach of Xavier from 2004-09 prior to becoming the head coach of Arizona. The Musketeers advanced to the Elite Eight and the Sweet 16 in Miller’s final two seasons before he left for Tucson.

Xavier is currently ranked 20th in the ROTHSTEIN 45.

Leftovers