Xavier Men’s Basketball To Rebuild Roster for 2026-27

The Musketeers enter the new season with a revamped lineup after finishing 10th in the Big East last year.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Basketball

Xavier Men’s Basketball To Rebuild Roster for 2026-27

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Xavier University begins the 2026-27 basketball season with a significantly rebuilt roster under head coach Richard Pitino. The team aims to improve upon last season's 15-18 overall record and 6-14 finish in Big East conference play.

Why it matters

The program prioritized roster changes to support Pitino's system as the team looks to move up from its 10th-place finish last year. Increased funding for talent acquisition is intended to boost the program's competitiveness in a difficult conference.

Xavier led the Big East and ranked 13th nationally with a 1.74 assist-to-turnover ratio last season. The team also established a school record by attempting 846 shots from beyond the arc.

The players

Richard Pitino

He serves as the head coach of the Xavier Musketeers basketball team.

Jovan Milicevic

A key returning shooter for Xavier who earned preseason third-team Big East honors.

Michael Nwoko

A notable transfer addition who averaged 13.4 points and 5.9 rebounds at LSU last season.

Chance Westry

An incoming transfer guard who averaged 5.5 assists per game while playing at UAB.

Ruben Dominguez

A sharpshooting transfer who arrives after averaging 10.2 points at Texas A&M.

The details

Coach Richard Pitino is entering his second season implementing his specific tactical system with a new group of transfers including Michael Nwoko, Chance Westry, and Ruben Dominguez. Returners like Jovan Milicevic, who shot 43% from 3-point range, and Filip Borovićanin, who surged late last season, anchor the rebuilt squad.

Nov. 13, 2026: Neutral court game against Mississippi State.
Nov. 20, 2026: Home game against Iowa.
Nov. 25, 2026: Neutral court game against Texas A&M.
Nov. 27, 2026: Neutral court game against Virginia.
Dec. 5, 2026: Crosstown Shootout against Cincinnati.

Season Trajectory

This roster overhaul is a direct response to the competitiveness of the Big East and the evolving eligibility standards set by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. The new lineup aims to bridge the gap between last season's 10th-place finish and the expectations of a top-tier conference program.

The selection of Xavier at sixth in the Big East poll suggests an expected improvement for bettors and analysts following their 6-14 conference record last year. The high volume of 3-point attempts last season indicates a continued reliance on perimeter shooting efficiency for success.

The takeaway

Xavier’s shift toward a high-volume 3-point system combined with a significant influx of transfer talent defines their 2026-27 outlook. Fans should watch the team's assist-to-turnover ratio as a primary indicator of whether the new chemistry is translating into conference wins.