Mountaineer fans, I know that it has been a tough couple of weeks. Our once top five football team has gotten crushed in its last two games, and our Heisman-lock quarterback has faltered, but it will all be okay. Basketball starts in a week and a half.
The Roster
The Mountaineers bring back a lot of talent and experience, led by Deniz Kilicli. Kilicli, a Turkish player with a nice hook shot, will have to lead this team. Kilicli has been steadily improving even since he came to WVU. This year the team will revolve around him, and I think we will make the most of it. Last year, Kilicli averaged 10 points a game, and he was the third scoring option on the team. This year he will be the first option. Coach, Bob Huggins, recently stated that Kilicli is in the best basketball shape of his life. I am looking for big things out of the "Istan-Bull."
The Mountaineers also return three key members of their backcourt, Jabarie Hinds, Aaron Brown, and Gary Brown. All three players were freshman last year, and each had their own share of good and bad moments. This year all three players have gained experience, and should help lead this team, along with Kilicli. Check out some of Hinds's highlights from last year.
There are some other key role players returning, such as lock-down defender Keaton Miles, and big men Kevin Noreen and Dominique Rutledge. Also three men will get more playing time this year, and will get the opportunity to make key contributions. Rutledge could be a breakout player this year.
Rounding out the roster are role players and freshman. One player to watch in this group is freshman Terry Henderson. Henderson is an athletic guard with a good upside. Here's his highschool mixtape.
New Conference
WVU moved to the Big 12 Conference this year. This move was made for the football team. The Big East, WVU's old conference, was the best basketball conference in the country. Now WVU will play in a weaker conference, but they will still face stiff competition. One school that will be a major obstacle for WVU this year, and years to come, is Kansas. Kansas has one of the most storied histories in college basketball. They get some of the best recruits and they have an electric fanbase. They have dominated the Big 12 in years past and look to continue their domination. Baylor, Kansas State, Texas, and some other teams also have very solid basketball programs, but Kansas is at the top.
Season Expectations
This year is going to be hard for the Mountaineers. The Mountaineers lost their best player in Kevin Jones, and a dynamic scoring point guard in Darryl "Truck" Bryant. The majority of the team is underclassmen, and even though some of this underclassmen played last year, they will still make mistakes.
WVU got no love from the USA Today or Coaches Poll and didn't even receive a single vote from anyone to make it into the top 25. To put it into perspective, Marshall University even got one vote.
Even though the country doesn't believe in the Mountaineers, coach Bob Huggins does, and I believe in him. Huggins always seems to make something out of nothing. His teams always make the NCAA Tournament and preform well.
Last year was a let down, after a blowout loss to Gonzaga ended the Mountaineers season. This year the Mountaineers get to start the season off against Gonzaga, in a new conference, under new player leadership, but one thing remains the same, and it is that Bob Huggins is leading the team. Huggins will teach his players how to play the game the right way. Maybe WVU won't be so good this year, but in one or two years, this team could be formidable. Let's go Mountaineers!
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