Xavier Star Takes Playful Jab at Texas Longhorns, Sean Miller

A now-former Xavier basketball star is making it clear how he feels about the Texas Longhorns.

Xavier Musketeers forward Zach Freemantle (32) reacts to an early foul in the first half of the NCAA Tournament First Four game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Texas Longhorns at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Xavier advances with an 86-80 win over Texas, moving on to play Illinois in the first round. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

SAN ANTONIO -- The man responsible for officially sending Texas Longhorns men's basketball into a new era has made it clear that he doesn't like the Burnt Orange.

Now-former Xavier Musketeers forward Zach Freemantle played in the Reese's College All-Star Game in San Antonio on Friday, which comes only a few weeks after he ended Texas' season with a jump hook, two free throws and a game-sealing dunk all in the final two minutes at the First Four in Dayton. The win put an end to the Texas career of head coach Rodney Terry while allowing the program to hire Xavier coach Sean Miller.

After the All-Star game in an exclusive interview with Ryan Hopper of TSTV Sports, Freemantle threw a playful jab at his former coach as he continues to settle into his new job in Austin.

Mar 20, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Xavier Musketeers head coach Sean Miller during NCAA Tournament First Round Practice at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

"You already know it's Horns down," Freemantle told Hopper before being asked about Miller. " ... (Sean Miller) did a lot for me, he's a great coach, a great leader. He really knows how to get a team going and I think you guys should be very excited for what the future has for Texas basketball."

Freemantle would go on to detail how Miller sold recruits on coming to Xavier, which finished with a 22-12 record this season.

"He sold everybody on the basketball side of things," Freemantle told Hopper. "(Xavier) is a basketball school, no football."

Take a look at the full video:

My interview with Xavier senior forward Zach Freemantle after his 18 pt 6 reb performance in just 22 mins of the Reese’s College All Star game here in San Antonio. Asked him about new Longhorns HC Sean Miller who Freemantle played 3 seasons for.#HookEm #LetsGoX | @zachfreemantle pic.twitter.com/9auH09qfkd

— Ryan Hopper (@ryan_hopper31) April 4, 2025

Freemantle dealt with injury issues during his college career but bounced back this season, averaging a career-high 16.8 points to go along with 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

After Xavier's loss to Illinois in the NCAA Tournament, Miller showered Freemantle with praise for what he's meant to the team.

"Zach had three season-ending injuries. Played last year without him," Miller said. "We thought we were going to lose him this year. Came back. I think tonight was the first game Zach didn't score in double figures his entire senior year. But we wouldn't be even close to the tournament without Zach's outstanding play."

Miller has already landed transfer portal commitments from Xavier's Dailyn Swain and Purdue's Camden Heide along with retaining Jordan Pope, Tramon Mark and Nic Codie. There remains work to be done as the offseason continues.