Frontcourt needs to play to its strength
As mentioned earlier, West Virginia’s biggest strength up to this point has been their rebounding and overall frontcourt play. Kansas could not stop Gonzaga, because of the inexperience and lack of length down low. Considering the Mountaineers have that, this could very well play into their hands if Drew Timme or Corey Kispert try to drive.
Oscar Tshiebwe was dominant as a freshman, averaging 11 points and nine rebounds, while also securing Second Team All-Big 12. His partner down low is also a former Second Team All-Big 12 member in Derek Culver. After taking a bit of a back seat to Tshiebwe last year, Culver has come out strong, averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds per contest.
Oscar Tshiebwe is such a luxury for guards on defense as his movement erases mistakes quickly. Watch how Oscar backpedals to cut off the drive while keeping a hand on the roller. Despite the deuce mistake, there was never anything open: pic.twitter.com/hxfADfedlM
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) November 27, 2020
Derek Culver leads all scorers with eight points to go with four rebounds in the early going.
— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) November 26, 2020
📺 Tune in live on ESPN or https://t.co/mBxLAQI12R#HailWV pic.twitter.com/Rk5ZAKEtm8
Those two down low are going to have play the best games of their career, in order to limit the Gonzaga offense. Only a few years ago, did we see an offense this dynamic, and that came from Zion Williamson-led Duke. The only difference is, that team was expected to be elite on offense.
Gonzaga was very good last year, this year breaks the expectations that were set by some in the media of exactly how good they were.
Gonzaga has not faced a frontline like West Virginia’s and this is absolutely something that the Mountaineers can exploit. The Mountaineers have blocked almost five shots a game and on offense, be a very good offensive rebounding team, ranking in the Top 25 of the NCAA.
Be on the lookout for F Gabe Osabuohien, in his second year at West Virginia after transferring from Arkansas. He plays sparingly but has been a factor on the glass, hauling in 7.3 rebounds per game so far in this young season.