Eagles add McCord, Causwell for 2023-24

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball announced the signing of 6-foot-10 center Nolan Causwell and 6-foot-5 guard Xavier McCord for the 2023-24 season. Causwell and McCord are the third and fourth players to sign with USI and Head Coach Stan Gouard this spring.
 
“USI is thrilled to welcome Nolan and Xavier to our basketball family,” said Gouard. “Both of are tremendous student athletes, who will fit in perfectly with our program and culture, and we are very excited to see their impact on our team.”
 
Causwell transfers to USI after spending the 2022-23 season with Tennessee Tech University. He played in 27 of Tennessee Tech’s 33 games, averaging 3.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. The incoming senior center scored a season-high 12 points twice (at Butler University; vs. Kentucky Christian University) and grabbed a season-best seven rebounds versus the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
 
Prior to signing with Tennessee Tech, Causwell spent a pair of seasons with Laramie County Community College and one season at Gulf Coast State College. He averaged 7.2 points and 6.3 rebounds in 49 games for Laramie, posting a two-year best 10.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest in 2021-22.
 
Causwell posted a junior college-high 26 points versus Western Nebraska Community College and 17 rebounds versus McCook Community College.
 
“Nolan is a young man that we have a ton of history with, beginning with his Juco days,” said Gouard. “In addition to OVC experience and toughness, he has intangibles that will be vital to our team’s success.
 
“Nolan has a great basketball DNA with his dad (Duane Causwell) being a former NBA first round pick,” continued Gouard. “Nolan has grown up around basketball, which has given him a great feel for the game. We are thrilled that Nolan has chosen to finish his collegiate career as a Screaming Eagle.”
 
McCord joins USI after spending the last three seasons at Laramie. He averaged 17.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 81 games (78 starts) for the LCCC Golden Eagles.
 
During his three-seasons at Laramie, McCord posted a career-best 39 points as a redshirt freshman versus Central Wyoming College and 16 rebounds as a sophomore versus Western Nebraska Community College. He also had five games of 30-or-more points during his career at Laramie.
 
“Xavier is an explosive athlete with a lot of potential,” Gouard said. “He will fit in well with our offensive style and will be called upon to impact on our team immediately. 
 
“Xavier’s athleticism will make him a fan favorite, because of his ability to attack the rim,” Gouard continued. “In addition to his offensive abilities, he is a tough defender and will be asked to make a difference on both ends of the court.”

The Eagles completed their first NCAA Division I season under Gouard by earning a trip to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament and to the Collegiate Basketball Invitational (CBI). USI was 16-17 overall during the first Division I schedule, placing seventh in the OVC with a 9-9 conference mark.