West Virginia Basketball: 3 takeaways in loss against Gonzaga in Jimmy V Classic

3. West Virginia can play with any team

This shouldn’t come as a surprise from a team ranked 11th nationally, but this game really was indicative of the raw potential the Mountaineers have this season. Huggins teams have always been competitive, and this year’s team is no different.

Culver’s success shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone, but the fact that another big name in Emmitt Matthews Jr, finished with seven points on 20% shooting, while only pulling down four rebounds goes to show the ability of West Virginia to play with that next man up mentality. It’s a great sign for any college basketball team, as it sends a clear message that they’re going to be ready to play every day of the week, and it’s probably going to be a different person each time around who really steps up.

The turnover game and steals is perhaps the most surprising stat line of the game. Huggins crew normally is known for running the floor and creating plenty of turnovers, but this time they played right into the Zags’ hands. Not a huge surprise that their performance in that department was lackluster going up against the number one team in the country, but still curious nonetheless.

Huggins has always prided himself on defense, and the Mountaineers are going to get plenty of opportunities to show that coming up, especially with an exciting non-conference match-up with the 19th ranked Richmond Spiders in two weeks.