“Commits” is an odd choice of words in this age of the portal, but I used it and I’m sticking with it. Here is another phrase that may sound odd to you: 23 year old college sophomore. That is what 6-6, 213 Ruben Dominguez is. The other thing he is now is a Xavier Musketeer. That’s a very good thing.
Dominguez averaged 10.2/2.3/1.4 for Texas A&M on 40.7% shooting and 40% from behind the arc. He is a sniper. Of his 253 field goal attempts, 215 came from three point range. That means that he tends to
run hot and cold. He had 30 early in the season against Manhattan when he made 10(!) threes and didn’t attempt a single two. He had 21 against Florida St, again without the benefit of a single two point bucket. He also had zero against Arkansas and one against Alabama. So it goes with three point shooters.
The three point shooting and its concomitant lack of turnovers is the huge plus to Dominguez game. Those things combined to make him 51st in the nation in offensive efficiency. He’s not much of a rebounder or defender, but he scores enough to generally overcome those things. What is concerning is the very significant dip in productivity Dominguez experienced as the season went on. In the final 16 games of the season he averaged only 6.3 points and shot just 30.4% from deep. That is a very substantial decline.
But this isn’t the season for looking for problems. Ruben Dominguez is an excellent add for Coach Pitino and Xavier. He brings some serious chops as a three point shooter, experience in Europe’s highest leagues, including a championship in the FIBA Europe Cup, and a frame that can compete in Big East play. It’s hot stove season, and Coach Pitino is cooking.
What cheesy line that was.
