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West Virginia Basketball: The good, bad and ugly through first 3 games of 2023-24

By Troy Van Camp

Jan 7, 2023; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Kobe Johnson (2) dribbles while defended by Kansas Jayhawks guard Joseph Yesufu (1) during the second half at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2023; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Kobe Johnson (2) dribbles while defended by Kansas Jayhawks guard Joseph Yesufu (1) during the second half at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

The Good

West Virginia’s best performance of the season came in the win over Jacksonville State on Tuesday, November 14th. In the 13-point victory the Mountaineers shot over 50% from the floor and knocked down 42% (8-19) of their 3-point attempts. Kobe Johnson, a Junior guard out of Canton, Ohio had his best game in a Mountaineer uniform. Johnson scored a career-high 19 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists. With transfer point guard, Kriisa remaining out of the lineup for the next 6 games, it would bode well for WVU if Johnson can put together a few performances like the one he had on Tuesday night.

In the season-opener against Missouri State it was a strong second half that helped give Josh Eilert his first victory as interim head coach of the Mountaineers. Trailing by 6 at halftime, WVU outscored Missouri State 43-29 in the second half to earn their first victory of the season. Fifth-year guys Jesse Edwards and Quinn Slazinksi led the way in this one.

Jesse Edwards, the Syracuse transfer is as good as advertised. Through 3 games he is averaging 14.5 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks per game. While not having Kriisa, Battle and Akok suit up, the stability that Edwards provides for the Mountaineers can not be overlooked.

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