Not just football schools

Texas and Alabama took center stage on Saturday night, but their hoops teams aren't slouches either. Plus, the latest on Zach Freemantle, Arizona's challenging schedule and more.

Author

Riley Davis
September 11, 2023

Crazy to think that we’re eight weeks out from the start of the ‘23-24 college basketball season — we’re officially well into the single-digit threshold.

During that same time period, I will be taking a break from the Daily while my wife and I prepare for/tend to our firstborn (the due date is less than two weeks away). I’ve loved helping build this newsletter but need some time off as fatherhood quickly approaches. My new “Daily” will likely consist of 68 diaper changes.

So consider this my (temporary) sign-off.

Let's get to the news.

1. ‘Bama, Texas headline teams with breakout candidates

Over the weekend, Alabama and Texas captivated fans and spectators with a back-and-forth battle at Bryant-Denney Stadium. But it’s not just their football teams that deserve headlines. The two programs have found success on the hardwood over the past few seasons, and they’re projected Top 25 squads for the upcoming campaign.

Of particular intrigue, is a pair of sophomores poised to star for their respective teams: Rylan Griffen for the Tide and Dillon Mitchell for the Longhorns. Both swell with all-conference potential and crack the top 10 of my 25 Breakout Players for The Almanac, Vol. 2 (which you can buy at a reduced price until Sept. 20).

Griffen, a 6-6 wing out of Richardson, Texas, came to Tuscaloosa as a highly-regarded recruit with a decorated high school career. After a hot start to his freshman season, his production tapered off early in conference play. However, a season-high 16 points in a road win at Auburn flashed his immense potential.

With spring-loaded hops and tremendous body control, Griffen lives in the lane and punishes the rim. Plus, he shot 34.8% from 3 in conference play (up from 30.1% on the season), and his form looks solid. A top-flight athlete, Griffen will receive opportunities in bunches now that Brandon Miller is with the Charlotte Hornets.

Dillon Mitchell, too, should capitalize on his path to a featured role. The 6-8 forward already showed promise as a hyper-athletic glass cleaner and defender (he ranked top-12 in the Big 12 in offensive rebounding rate, defensive rebounding rate and block percentage). But now, the former 5-star recruit has a chance to display his burgeoning offensive skills, as Texas lost its three leading scorers.

None of those departures will affect Mitchell’s minutes more than Timmy Allen. Mitchell should see 30-plus minutes a game, swinging between the 3 and 4 spots.

The most fascinating development to follow, though, will be the sophomore’s 3-point shooting. While he didn’t attempt a single triple in his rookie season — and made just 40.5% of his free throws — you wouldn’t have guessed it from the NBA Combine.

If Mitchell can develop into a spot-up and pick-and-pop threat, it will transform his game. A reliable trey ball would force defenders to close out on him, clearing the lane for a highlight-reel dunk once he attacks.

For more insight on Griffen, Mitchell and 23 more breakout players, purchase The Almanac for its special price of $15.99 until Sept. 20.

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2. Zach Freemantle’s recovery hits a speedbump

Sean Miller put together a banner year in his first season back at Xavier. The Musketeers won 27 games, the most since 2018, and made their first Sweet 16 since 2017. With a group of solid returners and notable transfers, they should again be a threat in the Big East.

Unfortunately, they’ll have to wait a little longer to get their all-league big man back, as he’ll likely be out until January, and could even miss the entire season because of his foot injury from last season.

It’s disheartening news for Freemantle, who has dealt with foot ailments for the past two campaigns. When healthy, the 6-9 forward can man either frontcourt spot, bang in the post, and step out and hit 3s. He posted career-highs in 3-point percentage and assists in 2023 before his foot sidelined him for the Xavier’s final 15 games.

Now, the Musketeers weathered his absence last season, going 10-5 over that final stretch. But they had a pair of All-Big East guards in Souley Boum and Colby Jones leading the charge. That won’t be the case this year. Instead, Xavier will rely on two up-transfers, Quincy Olivari (Rice) and Dayvion McKnight (Western Kentucky), and two unproven sophomores, Des Claude and Kam Craft to shoulder the perimeter scoring.

It would be unwise to dismiss any member of that quartet — no one thought Boum would generate All-American buzz this time last year — but Freemantle would have certainly eased their burdens.

3. Yuletide delight

Ever felt whiplash coming off the loaded Feast Week slate into the slow part of the non-con heading into the new year?

Arizona and Florida Atlantic are doing something about that.

On Friday, the programs announced they would square off in Las Vegas on Dec. 23, giving us the Christmas showcase we all need. (Sidenote: I wonder what FAU fans would’ve thought a year ago if you told them they’d be playing in the marquee game of the 2023 holiday season.)

The Owls look ready to embrace challengers in their Final Four encore. They’ll face Illinois in the Jimmy V Classic in NYC on Dec. 5 and compete in the ESPN Events Invitation in late November.

But Arizona ramps up the adversity a couple of notches. With neutral site matchups already set against Michigan State and Purdue, along with a trip to Cameron Indoor, FAU could make for the fourth preseason Top 10 opponent on the Cats’ schedule. Seems like Tommy Lloyd is ready to erase the memory of last season’s bitter end.

Xpectations for Year 2?

Sean Miller thrived in his first season with the Musketeers. But with everything Xavier lost, did it do enough in the offseason to pick up where it left off and compete for a Big East title in 2023-24? Rob Dauster and Greg Waddell debate.

Links as you shoot up a prayer for the Giants fan in your life.

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