The Xavier Univ. men’s basketball team wrapped up “one of the most successful transfer portal hauls when the portal closed a couple of weeks ago,” and the school was able to do that for the “simple explanation: money,” according to Steve Watkins of the CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER. Xavier has “boosted its commitment” to the program, as the school “spent somewhere between” $5M and $6M last year on paying its men’s basketball team. Big East teams “averaged paying” $5.7M to men’s basketball players last season. Xavier officials “wouldn’t say how much they’ve increased it this year or how much they’re paying.” But a source indicated that the amount “had roughly tripled.” Watkins noted after the season ended in March, Xavier leaders and donors “made the commitment to devote more resources to the program.” That came with goals including “winning the Big East and making the NCAA Tournament, as well as advancing to the Final Four.” Xavier men’s basketball coach Richard Pitino said the program “should have a rightful place in the Big East at the top of this league” (CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER, 5/7).
Xavier seeing increased financial commitment to men’s hoops team
