Zack Freemantle update

[muskieman]

Adam Zagoria Feb 24th
@AdamZagoria
NJ native Zach Freemantle is expected to start practicing next week for
@XavierMBB


Jon Rothstein Feb 27th
@JonRothstein
Source: Xavier's Zach Freemantle (foot) "could begin practicing" during the middle of this week. Has not played since 1/28. Averages 15.2 PPG and 8.1 RPG.

muskieman alert
I also know that he saw the Knick's doctor while at Seton Hall.

[pdxmuskie]

Great news.

[Xavier2005]

MY "rumor mill" chain claims Zack has a foot injury which cannot be "fixed until he has surgery after the season is over" and if if Z plays he will be playing thru or with "pain" in his foot. If true....he may be used only sparingly, if at all. I have no idea if this real or not....rumor mill.

[muskieman]

He may need surgery in the long run, but if he can come back, he would not be in any threat that he could worsen his problem. I trust Sean and the doctor who did his surgery not to jeopardize Zack's health and future. I doubt he would play against PC or maybe Butler, except on a minimal basis against Butler. Anything more would be a bonus. He may not get too many minutes in the BET unless everything goes more than expected. Today 28th, would be a month that was the originally hoped-for return to practice.

This all could be a factor in the NCAA committee's thinking. This might be a way Xavier wants to influence the selection process a la Zack possibly back versus Zack not being back. The selection comittee would look at X more positive to a Zack being back and maybe look at the losses in Feb (4 games by 5 points total) with a kinder eye.

[pdxmuskie]

The potential foot injury is anything from irrelevant to very problematic. Hopefully it is simply a matter of correcting an issue to prevent long term problems, or better yet, just bad information.

Free at 90% is significantly better than him not playing. That is dependent on Sean using him properly. Free at 90% is probably worse than Hunter at 100% given the defensive difference with both at 100%. This is also dependent on matchups, who is playing well, etc. As long as Sean can recognize when 90% Free is advantageous or when Hunter/Nunge need a rest, this is huge for Xavier to get him back in the lineup.

I think Muskieman is right that a Zach return would generate favorable seeding. At a minimum, it should give X the benefit of the doubt if debating between 2 seeds or possibly give them preferential regional seeding. Best case it bumps them 2 seed lines plus preferential regionality.

[muskieman]

Not sure about bumping 2 seeds, but can make a 5 seed a 4 seed, or like PDX said, a better locational seed. I see Zack as another body that may or may not be as productive as the original Zack, but someone who can give X another player in the rotation. Shame Tucker or Miles couldn't be that person. An eight-man rotation in the tourney is not always needed because of the media timeouts, but it does give Sean more options

The next question is it better to win the BET or go out and have rest for the team going into the tourney?

[pdxmuskie]

Winning is better. Creates momentum and confidence. Probably improves seeding as well.

I just don't buy into the notion that the team needs days and days of rest between games. Back to back games was hard on Nunge but he was fine with 1 day of rest between. Xavier won't know their opponent until after the championship game anyway so game planning isn't relevant either.

The only potential advantage would be school related. More time to focus on studies but I suspect the school is quite understanding about deadlines/tests this time of year.

[ChitownSteve]

Unfortunately, Zach’s tremendous Season has concluded. Appears the next step is surgery.

Tough for him and Xavier. Much probably went into this determination by both parties.

[muskieman]

Unfortunately, Zach’s tremendous Season has concluded. Appears the next step is surgery.

Tough for him and Xavier. Much probably went into this determination by both parties.

Top of the page, I already reported it. When I heard Miller talk the other day, I surmised as much from the comments about Zack. I hope he has a successful surgery and can play wherever he is next year