West Virginia Basketball: Mountaineers season review
By Doug Winkey
This past season saw West Virginia basketball grind their way through the Big 12, but fall hard in the postseason.
Bob Huggins’ West Virginia Mountaineers squad (or ‘Press Virginia’ as they call them) fought hard all season long. They finished just behind Kansas at 13-5 in the Big 12 and 26-9 overall.
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The team’s best wins were home over Kansas, at Iowa State and over Oklahoma in the Big 12 Tournament. They were conference tournament runner-ups before getting bounced in the NCAA round of 64 by Stephen F. Austin.
Devin Williams and Jaysean Paige were named to the conference’s Second Team, while Jevon Carter was an All-Defensive pick. Paige also earned the Big 12’s Sixth Man Award.
Overall, it was a very successful year in the Mountain State. Don’t expect this team to take a major step back anytime soon with their style of play.
Final Season Grade: A-
So, what’s next in Morgantown?
Players Gone:
G – Jaysean Paige (13.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.5 spg)
F – Jonathan Holton (8.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.0 spg)
F – Devin Williams (13.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.4 apg)
Even though WVU won’t take big steps backward, I’d be lying if I said these three guys won’t be missed. Williams led the conference in double-doubles this past year before he declared for the NBA early, Paige was a monster off the bench, and Holton played point man on the team’s infuriating press.
Together these players led one of the most frustrating defensive teams in all of college basketball and replacing their personalities won’t be easy.
Players Returning:
G – Jevon Carter (9.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.7 spg)
G – Daxter Miles Jr. (9.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.4 spg)
G – Tarik Phillip (9.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.5 spg)
G – Teyvon Myers (2.4 ppg)
F – Esa Ahmad (4.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.5 apg)
F – Nathan Adrian (4.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
F – Elijah Macon (4.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
There are plenty of bodies back in town to keep “Press Virginia” rolling on.
Carter, Miles, and Phillip hold down the perimeter and are all capable guards who will have more license to shoot without Paige behind them. Ahmad and Macon are in line to be the starting big men and can body up with the best of them. Adrian rounds out the returners and is a fine stretch forward who will compete with Macon to start early next year.
Who’s new:
G – Chase Harler (6’3″, 180 lbs)
G – Brandon Knapper (6’1″, 170 lbs)
F – Maciej Bender (6’10”, 235 lbs)
C – Sagaba Konate (6’8, 235 lbs)
This is a solid class with a couple guys who might play immediately. Harler and Knapper don’t leap off the page, but WVU’s style needs energy and passion over outright talent; they’ll be fine.
Bender and Konate are the main competitors that I see next year. Konate has the size to bang right now against Big 12 frontcourts and will push the returning forwards. Bender is the most intriguing prospect as a guy who can play all over the floor. He is a bit thin right now, but if he can develop some bulk and aggression, he’ll be a rock star.
Final Numbers to know:
1 – The number of starters graduating. Williams is the only guy from the first five leaving the Mountaineers. Holton was a starter, but he was demoted mid-way through the year. The continuity left in the starting lineup will help transition away from the importance of Williams and the other two graduates.
68% – The proportion of steals that are returning. This number is important for one reason; even without Paige and Holton, teams still won’t be able to relax against WVU’s relentless pressure. Of the 343 steals grabbed last year, over 200 are back.
1.02 – The rough team assist to turnover ratio for West Virginia last season. They dished just 12 more assists than they gave the ball away. While the team is still good at guard positions, this number has to get better if it wants to handle a league with as many quality backcourts as the Big 12.