Adjusting Expectations For WVU Basketball

by 5th Year Senior on Jan 13, 2010 10:59 AM EST in Mountaineer Basketball

Before the start of WVU’s basketball season I was very optimistic about our potential. We returned everyone but Alex Ruoff and added some much needed size and outside shooting. Looking at our roster and our schedule, I predicted four losses for this extremely talented basketball team.

Recently, however, we are becoming a finesse team that lacks the toughness and aggressive play that is Bob Huggins signature. We allow teams to push us outside and are content to settle for outside jumpers. This was fine under Belien but we do not have the outside touch to shoot 37 threes a game.

Fans can blame the refs all they want for WVU being next to last in the Big East in free throw attempts at 13 per game. (stat courtesy of Mich Vingle) However, if you settle for jump shots, you are not going to spending much time at the free throw line.

More after the jump...

My main concern is the production, or lack thereof, of Devin Ebanks. A kid with potential superstar talent, is just a little off recently. Some have said that, these kids are not on the same page but hell, Devin may not be reading the same book. Devin seems to be reading Hustler while the others are reading War and Peace.

We have seen glimpses of his immense talent and I know we will see it again before the season is over. I just hope we see it sooner, rather than later. Looking into my crystal ball, I see Devin having a Joe Alexander type run to end the season. I have faith young man.

Having seen these struggles of late, I am adjusting my outlook on the season. Looking into my crystal ball again, I see at least five more losses to come in Big East play.

Jan 13 at USF W

Jan 16 Syracuse W

Jan 20 vs. Marshall W

Jan 23 Ohio State L

Jan 26 at DePaul W

Jan 30 Louisville L

Feb 3 Pitt W

Feb 6 at St. John's W

Feb 8 Villanova W

Feb 12 at Pitt L

Feb 17 at Providence W

Feb 20 Seton Hall W

Feb 22 at Connecticut L

Feb 27 Cincinnati W

Mar 1 Georgetown W

Mar 6 at Villanova L

Mar. 9 - ? Big East Semifinals

Having said all the above, if our players come together, we still have the talent and coaching to make a run to the Final Four. I'm still optimistic, but not as confident in my optimism.

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Comments

I agree with your assessment, as a whole..

But I’m not predicting a loss to UL at home. Louisville, while improving, is just not that good this year. I’m pretty confident in coming away from the Ohio State game with a W as well. I can see them tripping up on the road to a team they should beat like a Providence.

by jim_e25 on Jan 13, 2010 12:24 PM EST reply actions

I predicted each game

on a schedule i printed out and hung on my office wall. I’m batting 1.000 so far. The rest of the way, I’ve got us losing to Syracuse, at Pitt, at UConn, and at Villanova. And, like Jim, a loss at Providence wouldn’t shock me either. You don’t just walk into the Dunkin Donuts Center and expect to come away with a victory.

by couchburner on Jan 13, 2010 12:27 PM EST reply actions

I cannot believe they gave you an office.

I do the same thing with the little pocket schedule. I have missed the ND game so far.

Leave no doubt tonight! Leave no doubt tonight! No doubt! They shouldn't of played the Old Gold'n Blue.

by 5th Year Senior on Jan 13, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions

Great point on the Free Throws

This team needs to get the ball inside and batter teams in the paint the way that Huggy knows they can.

B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"

by willgarr15 on Jan 13, 2010 12:49 PM EST reply actions

A little too much panic!

I understand that we have dipped in performance lately but I think some of these predictions are a little off.

1. Don’t let OSU’s win last night fool you
2. NO WAY Louisville beats us at home
3. That final NOVA game is at a neutral site (Wachovia Center) and I will be in attendance so chalk that up as a win

I understand the concern over Ebanks, hell I thought he was going to be beastly this year and he just seems to be out of it from time to time. But I do not believe its time to hit any panic buttons on this team, and I STILL believe that we will win the regular season BE crown. Huggs will get these kids together. You must believe in the Huggs….

by WVU_BILLS on Jan 13, 2010 1:06 PM EST reply actions

I am adjusting, not panicing...I think

1. I am not basing my opinion of tOSU solely on last nights big win over Purdue. They looked really good before Turner was injured. They are a good team again.

2. I just don’t know how we will handle the pressure from Louisville. It makes me nervous and I had this as a W/L before our recent poor play. If Truck continues to improve I will be much more confident.

3. I wouldn’t call that Nova game a neutral site game, it is just off-campus. However, if you are there, it will be a win.

Leave no doubt tonight! Leave no doubt tonight! No doubt! They shouldn't of played the Old Gold'n Blue.

by 5th Year Senior on Jan 13, 2010 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

After careful review of

what I think I know about the team based on the games I’ve watched, the psychology of 19 year-old kids, Huggs, the as yet unrealized potential of the players, and the general perversity of the universe; I think a couple of your L’s will turn to W’s, but one or two of your W’s will turn to L’s.

Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer.

by MtnEer_in_SC on Jan 13, 2010 2:25 PM EST reply actions