Game 10: at West Virginia (7-2)
The Mountaineers are also returning to action after a week off, winning at Duquesne last Saturday by 5. West Virginia's best non-conference wins have come against Iowa in Las Vegas, Cleveland St. in Morgantown, and Ole Miss in the other Oxford. Their 2 losses were to Kentucky in Las Vegas and Davidson in Madison Square Garden. In both of those losses, West Virginia held 2nd half leads. Coach Bob Huggins has put his signature on this team. The Mountaineers are strong, physical, play tough defense, and are relentless on the boards.
Probable Starters:
Darryl Bryant, 6'2" 200 Fr. 11 pts, 2 ass. 47% FG, 44% 3PFG, 76% FT. One of the better freshmen in the country, he's built like a tank, but is quick and can slash to the basket. When he decides to drive, he takes it strong to the goal. Has a nice shooting touch from the outside, could stand to take more 3s, but does a good job of getting others involved.
DaSean Butler, 6'7" 225 Jr. 15 pts, 7 reb. 42% FG, 27% 3PFG, 76% FT. When Ruoff is out, he's the 1st option on offense. Even though his 3 point shooting percentage is below 30%, you still have to respect his ability to make the deep ball. Possesses a nice shot fake and ability to pull up or drive. The only consistent player on the team who can create his own shot and have it be a good shot, not forced. He can go in the post and finish strong as well.
Devin Ebanks, 6'9" 205 Fr. 8 pts, 7 reb. 45% FG, 17% 3PFG, 53% FT. Most comfortable driving baseline or spotting up for the 15-foot baseline jumper. Inconsistent shooter though because his form isn't fundamentally sound. Great athlete though, really gets on the boards.
Wellington Smith, 6'7" 230 Jr. 7 pts, 4 reb. 48% FG, 31% 3PFG, 57% FT. Have to watch him most on the secondary break pulling up at the opposite elbow for a long 2 or 3. Solid player, plays tough defense, likes to mix it up inside. Doesn't get as many rebounds because he isn't as long as some of his teammates.
John Flowers, 6'7" 203 So. 7 pts, 5 reb. 56% FG, 15% FT. Long, athletic player who handles the ball pretty well. Most effective in the post, has a nice turnaround jumper. Is prone to take wild shots from the outside. Just 3/20 from the foul line this year.
Off the Bench
Joe Mazzulla*, 6'2" 205 Jr. 6 pts, 4 ass. 39% FG, 67% FT. Battling a shoulder. Tried to go vs. Davidson but couldn't lift his right arm above his shoulder. When healthy, very good at dribbling in traffic. Has a very low crossover dribble in the lane, which is tough to stop. Looks to pass first, won't shoot much. Physical defender, which was highlighted in the NCAA win vs. Duke last year.
Alex Ruoff*, 6'6" 220 Sr. 14 pts, 3 reb. 44% FG, 37% 3PFG, 71% FT. Also battling injuries. When healthy, one of the toughest and smartest players in the country. Moves really well without the ball, can penetrate and finish at the basket and can shoot the deep ball. Good rebounder for a guard. Physical defender, always in your jockstrap.
Kevin Jones, 6'8" 230 Fr. 6 pts, 4 reb. 41% FG, 29% 3PFG, 54% FT. Potential to very good, an athlete who can handle it, drive, shoot, and rebound.
Cam Thoroughman, 6'7" 225 So. 2 reb. 17% FG. More of a glue guy, crashes the glass hard. Otherwise, not comfortable with the ball in his hands.
Dee Proby, 6'10" 240 Jr. 1 pt, 1 reb. 21% FG. Not much of a threat to score. Tends to lose his man defensively around the basket.
Will Thomas, 6'5" 215 So. Not really a point guard, but with Mazzulla and Jonnie West out, he's been pressed into duty. Pretty good ballhandler, not much of a threat to shoot the ball from the outside.
While there are still remnants of John Beilein's offense in place, Coach Huggins has more of his style in place. West Virginia, like everyone else, runs more of a 4-out, 1-in motion fill offense, which we always see out of Western Michigan and have already seen from most of the teams we've played. The Mountaineers spread the floor, giving their athletes space to dribble drive or take jump shots. This indirectly gives them a lot of room to sprint to the glass and crash the boards with their athletic ability. Their forwards are good enough with the ball you can't pressure them too much or they'll drive by you for a dunk or set up a teammate for a dunk. But, they're good enough shooters you can't play off of them too much, so you have to play straight-up man and contest jump shots. When the Mountaineers are struggling to make shots, they will run a couple of set pieces to get easy baskets. One they run frequently is a short flex cut. Ball goes from the wing to the corner, they look inside at the post, reverse back to the wing, corner man uses the post as a screen, and the wing looks for the cutter as the wing dribbles toward the top. But that wing man who makes the pass is a filler because the previous wing cut to the block and went through. If the short flex cut isn't open, the opposite post man slides up to the top of the key, reversing the ball to that wing cutter for a jumper or a driving lane. Another play will be the back door off the double screen. Ruoff is especially good at running off the screen, acting as if he's getting ready to shoot the 3, but will instead v-cut hard to the basket for a layup. You also have to be aware of their bigs setting cross screens for one another, which often create mismatches underneath.
Defensively, West Virginia comes at you with a lot of physical, ball pressure. It's easy to figure out how the Mountaineers force 19 turnovers a game. What makes their defense grueling to go against is they keep coming at you with 6'7-6'9" players who are quick, athletic and physical, and can all stay with perimeter players, just ask Stephen Curry. They might press full court some, but with Mazzulla and Ruoff out, they get after you primarily in the half-court. Don't expect to get many 2nd chance opportunities against West Virginia. They're 5th nationally in giving up offensive rebounds and are outrebounding their opponents at an average of 11 per game. Sometimes, they fall asleep on the back line and give up easy baskets. If you can break them down with the dribble, you can get good shots. And the Mountaineers sometimes get caught loafing in defensive transition, creating chances to score before the defense can get set up.
Beating West Virginia comes down to 2 keys. First, are you tough enough to run your offense and attack their pressure? If you are, you'll eventually get good looks and score some points. West Virginia ranks in the top 10 nationally in defensive efficiency and turnovers forced and 21st in fewest offensive rebounds given up. You have to attack their pressure and not settle for jump shots. Second, you must body up on the boards, attack the ball when it comes off the rim, and secure the rebound. West Virginia isn't a great shooting team, but they're good enough to make 1 out of 3 or 4 chances if given to them through offensive rebounds. The Mountaineers have twice as many offensive rebounds as their opponents and for good reason. They don't just attack the glass, they swarm it. Create good scoring opportunities, limit offensive rebounds, and be strong with the ball. If we do those things, we have a chance. One thing to keep in mind, West Virginia only shoots 60% from the foul line.
Thanks to dudis41 for his assistance in the scouting report!
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