Xavier just locked in the final pieces of their roster for year two of the Richard Pitino era, and let me tell you, one of those new guys once went off for 30 points on 10-14 from deep against Western Illinois. That's Braden Appelhans, a guard from Drake who already knows Pitino's system cold after three years with him at New Mexico. He's a career 37% three point shooter, but that 30-point explosion shows you the kind of firepower he can bring.
New Faces, New Firepower for the Musketeers
Appelhans isn't coming alone, either. The Musketeers also snagged Nikos Chitikoudis, a big man from Robert Morris. This dude brings some serious muscle, starting his college career at North Carolina A&T before heading to Robert Morris. He's a straight-up standout offensive rebounder and a strong defender, even earning a spot on the Horizon League All-Defensive Team last season. Both of these guys are bringing a ton of college experience to a squad that's already got some veteran savvy. We're talking depth and quality added to the rotation, and that's exactly what you want to see as things start ramping up.Early Challenges and High Stakes Showdowns
The schedule is already looking spicy, too. Xavier is taking part in the CareSource Invitational on October 7th, hitting the court against Dayton at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. It's a doubleheader with Ohio State and Cincinnati also in the mix, giving us an early look at some promising college basketball rosters. Even better, it's all for a super worthy cause: raising funds and awareness for mental health and suicide prevention, a cause Dayton coach Anthony Grant has championed. Then, things get really real in November. On the 13th, Xavier heads to White Sulphur Springs, WV for the Greenbrier Invitational to face Mississippi State. The Bulldogs had a rough season last year, falling 76 spots in KenPom, but they still boast a standout guard in Josh Hubbard. Plus, they added Seton Hall transfer TJ Simpkins, who's been a dreaded foe for Xavier in the past. Talk about a test right out of the gate! And don't forget the 15th Battle 4 Atlantis down in the Bahamas over Thanksgiving week. It's not bracketed, but Xavier's group is stacked with Marquette, Texas A&M, and Virginia. The Musketeers will play both Texas A&M and Virginia, so expect some intense matchups down in paradise.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.