By JOE KAY
CINCINNATI (AP) — Trevon Bluiett decided to stay at Xavier for his senior season instead of entering the NBA draft on Tuesday, a huge boost to a Musketeers team that reached the Elite Eight last season.
Bluiett was second in the Big East in scoring at 18.5 points per game last season. He had 19 games with 20 or more points, including 40 against crosstown rival Cincinnati.
He was at his best during Xavier’s NCAA Tournament run, which ended with its third appearance in the Elite Eight. He averaged 21.3 points, including 21 against Maryland, 29 against Florida State and 25 in a win over Arizona. The Musketeers lost to Gonzaga in the Elite Eight.
With Bluiett staying, the Musketeers will have the key players from their tournament run back next season. Point guard Edmond Sumner tore an ACL on Jan. 29, didn’t play the rest of the season and declared for the NBA draft. Freshman Quentin Goodin took over at point guard and led the Musketeers’ run through the tournament.
Photo: USA Today
