West Virginia Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Mountaineers
Bench
Much of West Virginia’s success under Huggins has come from his willingness to go deep into his bench, and last season is no exception. Again, ten different players averaged over 13 minutes a game. Twelve players on the roster appeared in at least 27 games for the Mountaineers. This season will follow much of the same – Huggins will have the luxury of having, at the very least, six options off the bench.
Three of those six options are returners Sean McNeil, Taz Sherman, and Gabe Osabuohien. Osabuohien saw time last season at small forward, but is in the position to play at any spot in the frontcourt. At 6-7 and 235 pounds, Osabuohien is, deceptively, one of the best passers on the team, registering 53 assists last year.
If McBride starts seeing time at point guard, McNeil and Sherman will become the primary options at the two-guard position. Both saw nearly the same amount of time on the floor last season and nearly matched each other’s shooting averages, with McNeil at 37% on field goals and 33% on three-pointers and Sherman at 38% and 33%, respectively.
Neither registered many rebounds or assists on the season – undeniably, their roles are as pure shooters. If West Virginia hopes to overcome its shooting woes, the gradual development and flourishment of McNeil and Sherman will be instrumental to their success.
Thankfully, for the core group, Huggins and his staff are bringing in at least three new faces who should instantly provide an impact.
Jalen Bridges will begin his first season on the floor after redshirting last season, and will provide ample time as a back-up to Matthews Jr. Isaiah Cottrell, meanwhile, is a highly-touted four-star power forward out of Bishop Gorman High School. Cottrell, at 6-10 and 240 pounds, will receive several opportunities playing behind Culver and Tshiebwe and is a future star player for the Mountaineers.
The last of the six is incoming JUCO transfer Kedrian Johnson, who was the star guard for Temple College last year in Temple, Texas. An All-American honoree, Johnson averaged 25.5 points, 5.4 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game – all the while shooting 47% from the floor. Johnson should see time at both backcourt positions, particularly if McCabe’s shooting struggles continue.