For the past 5+years West Virginia Basketball has lost major contributors, been grossly underated in preseason polls, then surpassed expectations. Don’t underrate Bob Huggin’s ability to squeeze every ounce of talent out of everyone on the roster.
Last Season: 26-11 (11-7) Sweet 16 Loss To Champion Villanova
Key Losses: PG Jevon Carter, SG Daxter Miles Jr., F Teddy Allen
Key Additions:
SG Jermaine Haley (JUCO)-
- Great size at 6’7″, Good Ball Handler, Great Defender
C Andrew Gordon (JUCO)-
- 6’10” Rebounder, Very Athletic, Shot Blocker
PG Jordan McCabe- #107 Ranked Prospect –
- Excellent Passer/Ball Handler, will be relied on to Lead 2nd Unit
PF/C Derek Culver – #101 Ranked Prospect-
- Long/Bouncy Player, Projects as great defender
SF Emmitt Matthews Jr. – #178 Ranked Prospect –
- Athletic and Fluid Scorer, Good size at 6’7″
SG Trey Doomes – #159 Ranked Prospect –
- Streaky Athletic Scorer, Could play major minutes
Notable Non-Conference Games:
- Buffalo 11/9
- @ Florida 12/4
- Pitt 12/8
- No. 6 Tennessee 1/26
Projected Depth Chart (Projected MPG):
Minutes may not be at specific position
PG – James Bolden (25) – Jordan McCabe (15) – Brandon Knapper (10)
SG – Jermaine Haley (18) – Trey Doomes (7)
SF – Esa Ahmad (28) – Wesley Harris (20) – Emmitt Matthews Jr. (5)
PF – Lamont West (26) – Derek Culver (6)
C – Sagaba Konate (30) – Aaron Gordon (8) – Logan Routt (2)
*All Recruiting Rankings Via 247Sports.com
WVU’s frontcourt is among the best in the country. Harris/West/Ahmad form a scary triple threat at the forward spots. Aaron Gordon and Derek Culver figure to provide depth behind Konate (which was nonexistent last season). Last, but not least, Sagaba Konate who looks to cement himself as the best interior defender in college basketball. If he can get his scoring up, and knock down open shots, he could be looking at a spot on an All American team.
WVU’s backcourt looks to be a bit more troubling on paper. Bolden was the type of player everyone wanted more of last season. Behind Miles and Carter, he didn’t have a ton of responsibility on offense last season. He can hit 3s like crazy and draw charges as well as anyone in college basketball, but can he run an offense for 30 Minutes? Can he score in the paint? McCabe has a ton of hype around him but can he contribute right away? Knapper? Doomes? Harler? Jermaine Haley is the likely starter at SG but it could be any of these guys. A ton of talent, but also a ton of questions. This young group has a chance to be really good in a few seasons.
Best Case Scenario:
Some combination of Bolden/McCabe/Knapper breaks out at the 1 spot and Konate becomes a go-to scorer. WVU wins games they should, keeps it close with Kansas, and sneaks a game or two away from Kansas State. The Press drives teams crazy and they’re a Top 10 team come March.
Worst Case Scenario:
The guards struggle, Konate doesn’t develop much offensively, and the Press is not as effective without Carter. WVU is in the middle of the pack in the Big 12 and is unranked come March.
Prediction:
WVU is the 3rd best team in the conference on paper, but is more than capable of leaping Kansas State. Although the guards are a huge question mark, their frontcourt will be amongst the best in the nation, and should win them some close games. WVU is more than capable of competing for a Big 12 championship and even making another deep run in the tournament.
