Big 12 Basketball: Each team’s biggest question entering 2020-21 season
West Virginia Mountaineers – Is Miles McBride ready to break out?
Gauging West Virginia before the season can be tough because they are always strong defensively and, on the glass, but at the other end of the floor, if you think they will be solid, sometimes they aren’t and vice versa. The Mountaineers weren’t hit with any early pro defections and only have to replace one starter from last season’s team, so there is again reason for cautious optimism in Morgantown.
With youngsters, Derek Culver and Oscar Tshiebwe having two forward spots on lockdown, replacing guard Jermaine Haley is the biggest priority for Bob Huggins. One guy who could be ready to step into that role and be ready for a breakout season is sophomore guard Miles McBride.
The 6’2 Cincinnati native had a solid first season for West Virginia averaging 9.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, nearly two assists, and just over a steal per game. He showed a knack for getting to the free-throw line where he shot 74% but will have to improve his perimeter game, attempting the 3rd most long balls on the team last season, but making just 30%.
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He gave fans a glimpse of what he is capable of during an eight-game stretch from mid-December to mid-January where he averaged 14 points per game, and then again when the season ended, pouring 14 over his final three games. In 2020-21, McBride could be ready to have a big year, and that could mean big things for West Virginia.