Xavier Basketball Enters 2026-27 With New Roster As Pitino Seeks Big East Improvement

Xavier basketball starts 2026-27 season with a roster as second-year coach Richard Pitino aims to bring the Musketeers forward in the Big East

Xavier went 15-18 last season and finished last in conference play with Georgetown.

Since then the club has seen huge changes with seven transfers coming into the program and other players leaving.

One of the returning elements is junior forward Jovan Milićević. Last season he averaged 12.4 points a game and scored in double figures 22 times. His shooting skill provides Xavier an alternative up front.

The Musketeers have been busy in the transfer market. Chance Westry, out of UAB, averaged 15.5 points and 5.5 assists per game.

Miami native and former New Mexico player Tru Washington, who averaged 11.9 points last season, played under Pitino.

Xavier gets another frontcourt option in Mike Nwoko, who averaged 13.4 points and 5.9 rebounds at LSU.

Also joining him is Rubén Dominguez, who shot 40 percent from beyond the arc at Texas A&M.

Gabriel Pozzato is back after injuries ruled him out of previous season. He averaged 14.9 points and 4.4 rebounds at Evansville.

Tests will be in the schedule. Xavier plays Mississippi State on Nov. 13, Iowa on Nov. 20 and then heads to the Battle 4 Atlantis later that month. Dec. 5: Cincinnati rivalry game

Big East play opens Dec. 19. Xavier played tough against the top opponents last season and will require greater performances against the conference’s best teams.

The Musketeers begin the season with a new collection of players and seek to create chemistry and compete on a consistent basis.