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West Virginia Basketball: 2022-23 season preview and outlook for Mountaineers

Mar 10, 2022; Kansas City, MO, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins speaks to referees after being ejected from the game during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2022; Kansas City, MO, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins speaks to referees after being ejected from the game during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports /
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West Virginia Mountaineers guard Kedrian Johnson Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
West Virginia Mountaineers guard Kedrian Johnson Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /

Projected Starters

Guard – Kedrian Johnson (Senior)

With those previously mentioned top four scorers all gone, Johnson is the top scorer returning from last year’s Mountaineers squad. He averaged 5.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists last season, but will hope his offense takes another step forward this year. Johnson is an important part of the backbone of this team and will certainly be counted on more this season, especially with so many new pieces around him.

Guard – Erik Stevenson (Junior)

This is school number four for Stevenson, who previously spent time at Wichita State, Washington, and South Carolina before ending his career this season with the Mountaineers. He averaged 11.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists a game for the Gamecocks and has had some impressive seasons on the defensive end. He’ll bring much-needed experience and will also be a key cog in the offense.

Forward – Emmitt Matthews Jr. (Senior)

One of those rare times when a player returns, Matthews spent three years playing for Huggins and these Mountaineers before transferring to Washington last season. Matthews averaged 11.7 points per game and shot just under 34% from long-range, serving as the second-leading scorer for the Huskies last year. He’ll hope to be more effective than on his first tour of duty.

Forward – Tre Mitchell (Senior)

A former top 100 recruit who’s faced a rocky road in the college game, Mitchell starred for two seasons at UMass before spending last year at Big 12 rival Texas. Mitchell averaged just 8.7 points a game after scoring more than twice that with the Minutemen. West Virginia is hoping that Mitchell bounces back after a discouraging season and contributes for these new-look Mountaineers.

Center – Jimmy Bell Jr. (Junior)

Bell spent his first two seasons at Saint Louis, falling out of the lineup during his sophomore season before transferring down to the junior college level last season. After a year at Mobley Area CC, West Virginia is hoping that Bell can be a solid interior presence, becoming an impact rebounder and shot blocker that this defense certainly needs.