[JNixonParticipant]

31: West Virginia Mountaineers

Frontcourt: They lose John Flowers, a long wing who played tough D and was a nice athlete while replacing a lot of Devin Ebanks’ skills for WVU. He was a good role player who grew up as a Sr. The cupboard isn’t bare though, as they return 6’8 215 PF Kevin Jones, a 13 ppg and 7 rpg guy who is a projected 1st team All-Conference player by me. Jones is one the absolute most energetic player in the country, and a great offensive rebounder. He doesn’t need the ball to be effective, and he has a surprisingly strong face-up game with college 3-point range. While he has NBA potential, but it’s limited because he’ll always be a tweener and he’s not a good ball-handler. Even though his energy was high last year, he wasn’t as high-wired as he handled a bigger role last year. Returning big Denis Kilicli will have to be a major factor next year. The 6’9 Kilicli is a limited talent and athlete, with a sturdy body down low. He has a weird post game, and his go-to move is a sweeping hook, which he can hit with either hand, sometimes against tight contests from bigs. It’s weird that such a limited post scorer has a tricky move like that as his go-to. Also figuring to fight for time will be 6’10 Soph. Kevin Noureen, Fr. wing Aaron Brown, and Fr. PF Tommie McCune. Noureen won’t play much, but he’s a skinny guy who can be a potential minor mismatch as a face-up guy. The 6’5 Brown was recruited as a rugged SF who has the length and toughness to play despite lacking any great floor skills, not dissimilar to what John Flowers was. McCune needs weight as a 6’7 190 PF, but he has an interesting skill set. He can stick the 3 ball, but he’s not a good enough ball-handler to play out there much. Only decent players here, and only “decent” because Jones is the headliner, but the tough brand they’ll play and going up against Aaric Murray in practice as he sits out after transferring from LaSalle makes things more reasonable.

Backcourt: Truck Bryant returns for his Sr. year. I’m not a fan of Bryant and I don’t think he’s very good, but he is a strong guard who defends alright on the ball, and likes to slash to the rim to create offense. He’s no true PG, not a great shooter, lacks efficiency (was a 32% 3-point shooter on nearly 125 attempts, and some 33% from the field) and the WVU offense ran a bit smoother when Mazzula ran the show. 5’11 Fr. Jabarie Hinds will likely need to grow up quickly. Hinds is a southpaw from NY with quickness. He’s thin, which doesn’t mix well in the Big East, and he’s a scorer more than a pure point though. He will likely struggle physically by the time the Big East slate starts. Also in the fold is Jerry West’s son (he’s pretty old to have a college-aged son, I’d say), Jonnie. West is a shooter with a very quick trigger and release. He’s not very athletic and he gets lost on D too much, but he can be fun to watch as a shooter because he’s not afraid to let it fly. Huggins had him on a short leash, and he often would take 1 or 2 bad shots or mess up on D and his time on the floor would be very short lived. Defense will be the name of the game once again for West Virginia, although they will have the added benefit of practicing against touted transfer Juwan Staten, who will sit out after coming from Dayton.

Overview: This team isn’t exactly full of talented, potential NBA players or anything like that, but they have the identity of the typical Bob Huggins team. Strong players who play gritty and tough, and like to slash to the rim, create contact, and suffocate the life out of guys on D. They won’t be a Final 4 team like last year or anything, but they’ll overachieve and be a 1-and-done, maybe even 2-and-out team. Even though they have NIT-type talent.

 

[McDunkin]

Jnixon whats up with Noah Cottrill?

I know he got busted for having a Oxycontin problem before last season but i have heard that he was thinking about re-enrolling at WVU. At the same time the sites that say that also dont seem to know if he has even finished rehab

[McDunkin]

Jnixon whats up with Noah Cottrill?

I know he got busted for having a Oxycontin problem before last season but i have heard that he was thinking about re-enrolling at WVU. At the same time the sites that say that also dont seem to know if he has even finished rehab

[Sonics96FinalsParticipant]

 Are you again, McBased and posting? Lay off the late night McBased and Tasties, let the young man breathe. So he is working on bettering himself personally, while pondering the knowledge of his where abouts or questioning his playing status, wish him a well word while you inquire about situations so personal. Putting someone’s name in a post with those words is foolish, especially in a medium of topics as this. Do you know the kid?  

[Sonics96FinalsParticipant]

 Are you again, McBased and posting? Lay off the late night McBased and Tasties, let the young man breathe. So he is working on bettering himself personally, while pondering the knowledge of his where abouts or questioning his playing status, wish him a well word while you inquire about situations so personal. Putting someone’s name in a post with those words is foolish, especially in a medium of topics as this. Do you know the kid?  

[McDunkin]

First of all….Yes i know him…he was on College Hoops 2k8 so i consider us like family…usually i know that im being off-topic when i post something…but i have no idea how asking about "the playing status" ( i never asked for his "where abouts" like he is Casey Anthony or anything) of a talented freshman that would have been a guaranteed starter for the Big East program that this thread is about (without using a GIF or a joke to do it) is "off-topic".

 

Second of all i dont know you…and have close to no respect for those who have negative points (except Scarecrow)

[McDunkin]

First of all….Yes i know him…he was on College Hoops 2k8 so i consider us like family…usually i know that im being off-topic when i post something…but i have no idea how asking about "the playing status" ( i never asked for his "where abouts" like he is Casey Anthony or anything) of a talented freshman that would have been a guaranteed starter for the Big East program that this thread is about (without using a GIF or a joke to do it) is "off-topic".

 

Second of all i dont know you…and have close to no respect for those who have negative points (except Scarecrow)

[providencefriars1Participant]

These rankings are probably going to be loaded with Big East teams if WVU is 31. They are probably going to finish in the 8,9,10 range.

I would also like to add that they lost Dalton Pepper who was a great defender and would have probably started this year

[providencefriars1Participant]

These rankings are probably going to be loaded with Big East teams if WVU is 31. They are probably going to finish in the 8,9,10 range.

I would also like to add that they lost Dalton Pepper who was a great defender and would have probably started this year

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

Have you listed Purdue yet?

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

Have you listed Purdue yet?

[JNixonParticipant]

Nah, I dont have Purdue in my countdown.

[JNixonParticipant]

Nah, I dont have Purdue in my countdown.

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

That’s preposterous

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

That’s preposterous

[JNixonParticipant]

Could come back to hurt me, but they dont return anyone of note except a wounded Robbie Hummell.

[JNixonParticipant]

Could come back to hurt me, but they dont return anyone of note except a wounded Robbie Hummell.

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

You need to watch more big 10 basketball.  Lewis Jackson?

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

You need to watch more big 10 basketball.  Lewis Jackson?

[JNixonParticipant]

Lewis Jackson isn’t carrying anyone’s team, or much of a difference maker.

[JNixonParticipant]

Lewis Jackson isn’t carrying anyone’s team, or much of a difference maker.

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

He can get lay-ups at will when he wants to

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

He can get lay-ups at will when he wants to

[Author]

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