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WvuDieHard
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Now that the season is over, we can sit back and reflect on what we expected versus what we saw from the Mountaineer Basketball squad. It was a season filled with uncertainty as WVU was coming off a 17-15 record (9-9 Big 12) and a 1st round loss to Georgetown in the NIT. It was then that the defections started as Erin Harris and Terry Henderson left the program with a scoring void that had to be replaced. It became apparent to Huggins that Harris and Henderson were going to play their way and not his way. The defensive lapses’ was a big contributor to that dismal 2013-14 campaign as Huggins vowed to fix it.
Enter a new crop of unknown players: Javon Carter, Dexter Miles, Jr., Jaysean Paige, Elijah Macon, Tarik Phillips, Jonathon Holton, and Billy Dee Williams. The “guard by committee of Carter, Miles, Paige and Phillips” averaged 25.1 points per game to offset the loss of Henderson and Harris who averaged 28.9 points per game. The points per game were almost replaced but the defense was astoundingly better. Huggins knew early on that to win with this team, he was going to have to play a different style—a full court pressing style of defense. This new found way of producing turnovers would give WV more opportunities to score and it worked as WV opened the season on a 14-1 run with its only loss coming to LSU by 1 point. The streak included wins against the defending national champion UConn Huskies and NCAA tournament teams NC State and Wofford.
WV would go on to finish its season at 25-10 going through a tough array of Big 12 opponents until its melt down against Kentucky in the Sweet 16. It appeared that in the last 20 games, the WV opponents adjusted to the pressure and found ways to overcome the relentless defense that the Mountaineers brought night in and night out. Yet, it was a WV defense that led the nation in steals at 10.7 pg. and total steals, was #1 in offensive rebounds per game and #2 in turnover margin per game. But this newfound style of defense came at a cost as WV was ranked 345th out of 351 NCAA teams in fouls per game. This often led to many trips to the free throw line and changed player rotations. The WV defense was most effective off of made baskets which the Mountaineers often had trouble finding at times this season against bigger and longer opponents such as Baylor, Texas, and undoubtedly Kentucky. But even though there were weaknesses or “chinks in the armor”, WV continued to do what it did best—press and play tough defense.
As we look at the season, one certainly can say that it was a resounding success. To be one of the last 16 teams out of 351 is an accomplishment worthy on the upper half of one’s resume. What stands out to me the most was the heart and sheer determination that this group played with during the season. Every one of these players bought into the system and gave 110% of what they had to win games. If you grade the success of this team with talent level, it is truly one of the most remarkable stories of the 2014-15 college basketball season. I didn’t see any McDonald’s All-Americans on this WV team and I don’t think we had a top 100 guy on the roster.
For now, the 2014-15 is in the rear view mirror. So what about the future? My friends and fellow bloggers—I say the sky is blue—bright blue. WV will return 56.5 points per game to floor next year. Most of these players will be bigger, stronger, and much more seasoned due to the extensive playing time they received this year. I expect more production from Macon, Carter, Miles, Phillips and Billy Dee. Newcomers Ahmed, Bolden and Myers (the nations JUCO leading scorer) will deepen the bench, provide more scoring, and bring in 2 ball handlers. I expect Devon Williams to be a 1st team Big 12 player and average 16-18 pts. per game while Holton should have matured and improved offensively. And for the rest of this bunch, Phillips may hold the most promise because he can put on the floor and create. Phillips could easily average 10 points a game next year. My early prediction on next years team—20 wins and another trip to the NCAA’s.
So, there is my take and as always just an opinion. It has been a fun season and always a pleasure to interact with all of my fellow Mountaineer fans. But remember, it is not my opinion that counts the most, it is yours. Have a great summer and may God bless you are your family wherever your country road takes you!
Enter a new crop of unknown players: Javon Carter, Dexter Miles, Jr., Jaysean Paige, Elijah Macon, Tarik Phillips, Jonathon Holton, and Billy Dee Williams. The “guard by committee of Carter, Miles, Paige and Phillips” averaged 25.1 points per game to offset the loss of Henderson and Harris who averaged 28.9 points per game. The points per game were almost replaced but the defense was astoundingly better. Huggins knew early on that to win with this team, he was going to have to play a different style—a full court pressing style of defense. This new found way of producing turnovers would give WV more opportunities to score and it worked as WV opened the season on a 14-1 run with its only loss coming to LSU by 1 point. The streak included wins against the defending national champion UConn Huskies and NCAA tournament teams NC State and Wofford.
WV would go on to finish its season at 25-10 going through a tough array of Big 12 opponents until its melt down against Kentucky in the Sweet 16. It appeared that in the last 20 games, the WV opponents adjusted to the pressure and found ways to overcome the relentless defense that the Mountaineers brought night in and night out. Yet, it was a WV defense that led the nation in steals at 10.7 pg. and total steals, was #1 in offensive rebounds per game and #2 in turnover margin per game. But this newfound style of defense came at a cost as WV was ranked 345th out of 351 NCAA teams in fouls per game. This often led to many trips to the free throw line and changed player rotations. The WV defense was most effective off of made baskets which the Mountaineers often had trouble finding at times this season against bigger and longer opponents such as Baylor, Texas, and undoubtedly Kentucky. But even though there were weaknesses or “chinks in the armor”, WV continued to do what it did best—press and play tough defense.
As we look at the season, one certainly can say that it was a resounding success. To be one of the last 16 teams out of 351 is an accomplishment worthy on the upper half of one’s resume. What stands out to me the most was the heart and sheer determination that this group played with during the season. Every one of these players bought into the system and gave 110% of what they had to win games. If you grade the success of this team with talent level, it is truly one of the most remarkable stories of the 2014-15 college basketball season. I didn’t see any McDonald’s All-Americans on this WV team and I don’t think we had a top 100 guy on the roster.
For now, the 2014-15 is in the rear view mirror. So what about the future? My friends and fellow bloggers—I say the sky is blue—bright blue. WV will return 56.5 points per game to floor next year. Most of these players will be bigger, stronger, and much more seasoned due to the extensive playing time they received this year. I expect more production from Macon, Carter, Miles, Phillips and Billy Dee. Newcomers Ahmed, Bolden and Myers (the nations JUCO leading scorer) will deepen the bench, provide more scoring, and bring in 2 ball handlers. I expect Devon Williams to be a 1st team Big 12 player and average 16-18 pts. per game while Holton should have matured and improved offensively. And for the rest of this bunch, Phillips may hold the most promise because he can put on the floor and create. Phillips could easily average 10 points a game next year. My early prediction on next years team—20 wins and another trip to the NCAA’s.
So, there is my take and as always just an opinion. It has been a fun season and always a pleasure to interact with all of my fellow Mountaineer fans. But remember, it is not my opinion that counts the most, it is yours. Have a great summer and may God bless you are your family wherever your country road takes you!