West Virginia Season Preview

Propelled by a surprising March run deep into the Big East and NCAA tournaments last season, expectations for the 2005-2006 West Virginia season, the most highly anticpiated WVU basketball season in a long time, are at a fever pitch in the Mountaineer state. Head coach John Beilein, a very well respected tactician for decades in basketball circles, and his West Virginia program held their national coming-out party last March and will look to capitalize on the increased media attention, national television exposure and the return of five experienced seniors to the roster.

With all the excitment of an NCAA tournament run to the elite 8, where only blowing a 20-pt lead in an overtime loss to Louisville kept WVU out of the final four, it can get lost a little in the shuffle that the Mountaineers were just 8-8 in the conference last season. In fact, on the morning of February 5th, the Mountaineers woke up with a 2-6 conference record and a recent loss to lowly Marshall, and found out that starting C D'or Fischer would not be able to go that afternoon against nationally ranked Pittsburgh, season looked to be slowly fading into another dissappointment.

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However, that afternoon, something happened. Kevin Pittsnogle, who had been averaging just 6 PPG and 14 minutes a game in Big East action would have to face the powerful Panther front line by himself, literally. Things did not start out well for WVU, quickly falling behind on their home court and trailing by 15 early in the second half, then, it clicked. Led by Pittsnogle's 27 points and spreading out the Panthers and launching 3-pt bombs by Patrick Beilein and Pittsnogle, long rebounds chased down by Joe Herber, key plays by Mike Gansey, flawless ball-handing by JD Collins and backdoor cuts by Tyrone Sally, WVU came from behind and pulled the upset over Pitt in overtime. The finished winning 5 of the next 7 in the conference, inlcuding a similar road victory at Pittsburgh just 18 days later. The Pittsburgh road victory and a 1st round Big East tournament win over Providence probably secured WVU of an NCAA bid, but they did not stop there in NYC, beating Boston College and Villanova before losing to Syracuse in the finals. Then, a thrilling 1st round NCAA tournament win over Creighton followed by a classic double overtime win over Wake Forest and a sweet 16 win over Texas Tech, the Mountaineers had captured the hearts of the country with their unselfish play, stories of being overlooked players beating the giants of college basketball with a coach that had paid his dues along the way as a head coach at the JUCO level, Division III, Division II and a few more lower level 1-A stops before getting the chance in the Big East. Then, with a 20 point lead and a chance for the final four, maybe the clock struck midnight...

Or, maybe not! West Virginia and coach Beilein welcome back Pittsnogle, Gansey, Herber, Collins and Patrick Beilein, all seniors, along with junior Frank Young who became very important late in the season and sophomore Darris Nichols to give them a returning nucleus of seven of their top nine players from last season. The also welcome 7'0 Penn St transfer Rob Summers and a pair of recruits, Joe Alexander and Alex Ruoff to the team for an exciting time at WVU.

There are some losses, important losses, from last year's team. Led by Tyrone Sally, the Mountaineer's leading scorer last year at 12.2 PPG. Sally was a versatile and athletic player that could play on the wing or inside and had the length and athletic ability to cause some havoc defensively in their 1-3-1 scheme. Replacing him might prove to be a little more difficult than some assume. Also graduating was D'or Fischer, a 6'10 post player that turned in a very solid 2-year career for WVU. He mostly found himself as Pittsnogle's back-up during the late season surge, but he was still second on the team in rebounding and easily led the team in blocks. He allowed coach Beilein to go with some offensive and defensive strategy late in games and was the only consistent source of post defense and rebounding. WVU also saw Luke Bonner and Brad Byerson opt to look elsewhere for their futures. Both would have been a source of depth for this season, something that they do have little of.

JD Collins and Darris Nichols return to run the point for coach Beilein and WVU. Neither is much of a scorer, combining for 40 minutes a game last season, they averaged just a combined 6.8 PPG, shooting less than 40% from the floor and 33% from beyond the arc, but they were 100% pass first guards that kept the Mountaineer offense running smoothly, something that an outside observer will certainly gloss over. They played their roles on defense and distributing the ball to the players in position for them to succeed. Too often, casual observers only worry about stats and individual production, these two worry about wins. Not too many teams will have their point guard position average JUST 2.3 turnovers a game total for the position. They combined for 5.1 assists for an assist to turnover ratio of 2.2 to one! Collins hit some big shots throughout the season and Nichols proved invaluable in overtime against Wake Forest after Collins fouled out, so both can not be overlooked as players willing to step up and make a difference.

You probably will not find a pair of wings with a higher basketball IQ than Joe Herber and Mike Gansey anywhere in the conference or the country for that matter. Gansey played two seasons at St Bonaventure and left after an academic scandal rocked the small campus and landed with Beilein and WVU. It took a little time for Gansey to adjust to the play in the conference, but once he did, he became one of the league's better players. He finished the season as their second leading scorer at 12 PPG and led WVU (at just 6'4!) in rebounding with 5.1. He also led the team in steals and averaged 2.9 assists per game. He hit the winning FT against Villanova in the Big East tournament and exploded on the national scene with his 29-pt performance, including clutch play against Wake Forest. Gansey's stock rose so high that he earned a spot on the USA Under-21 team that competed in the World University Games. Along side him is another do-everything player in Joe Herber. Herber played for his native Germany in the same World University Games and is a stat sheet stuffer. he is always good for 8-10 points, 4-5 rebounds 3-4 assists a coupel steals and some excellent defense with some great hands in the passing lanes. Their experience will make them a tough duo in all facets of the game.

The need for some athletic creativity on offense will fall on the shoulders of Frank Young this season. Young will be first in line to replace Sally and he did very well in that role in the Big East tournament when Sally went down with a stomach ailment. Young stepped in and scored 14 against BC and 12 against Villanova in an emergency role. He was pretty much a forgotton man for much of the seaosn, but once he found the range from beyond the arc, his confidence rose and he became a very solid contributer for WVU. A pair of freshmen, Joe Alexander and Alex Ruoff, will also factor in the mix. Alexander is a very athletic wing that played on the loaded Hargrave Military Academy team last year. He could provide some early minutes. Ruoff is a tall wing that likes to shoot it from deep. The Florida native gives WVU another top shooting option on the floor and his size will make him suited very well in the 1-3-1 zone defense WVU likes to use.

And, of course, Kevin Pittsnogle returns. The 6'11 mad bomber has one of the best shooting touches for a big man you will ever see. When he can spot up and set his feet, it is surprising when it does not go in, almost shocking! Pittsnogle averaged nearly 12 minutes and 3.7 rebounds last year, in under 20 minutes a contest. During the WVU run, starting with the first Pittsburgh game, Pittsnogle averaged closer to 17 PPG. He will not rebound or block many shots, but he will not just sit behind the 3-pt land. Only 41% of his made field goals were from beyond the arc and he attemped 55% of his shots inside the 3-pt line, but it only seems like he is a mad bomber from beyond the arc. He is a deadly face-up shooter from anywhere and will show some other moves in set plays as well. he will not create much, but he will take advantage of a small opening and bury a shot with anyone in his face. Instead of teaming with Fischer this year, Rob Summers, a 7'0 PSU transfer will have to do. Summers is not the shot blocker or rebounding presence that Fischer was. He averaged less than 4 PPG and 4 rebounds in about 22 minutes a game in 2 years at Penn St. He will need to get a lot more physical and assertive on the glass and on defense to fill the important shoes of D'or Fischer this season. Rebounding and interior defense is going to be major keys for WVU this year and it should be a concern at this point.

This is an interesting season for West Virginia. They will not be able to sneak up and surprise anyone, the cat is out of the bag and more teams will be aware of the things they like to do and try to take them out of their comfort zone. However, they have the experience to fight through that adversity. They also do not beat themselves, they do not turn the ball over and they hit thieir free throws at great rates. They way they like to shoot the 3-pt shot and are willing to depend on it keeps them in almost any game and can see them cut a defecit considerably in a short period of time.

The Big East was not overly taxing to them, scheduling Cincinnati, Georgetown and Pittsburgh as their mirror games. Connecticut and Louisville also have to come to the Coliseum to play, which, when things are going well for WVU is one of the toughest venues to play for an opposition as the home fans are very intense. The road schedule has more than its share of winnable games. They have also upgraded on their out of conference schedule with a slot in the very tough Guardians Classic and a trip to LSU. Added television exposure means a lot is expected of WVU this season.

I do feel that WVU, with their experience, is going to deliver this season. You have to like a team that is unselfish, experienced and does not beat themselves. They showed last year they can bounce back from some tough lows and regain their focus. Confidence will be a big issue with the team, but their experience should help them stay on a more even keel than most teams. I do think teams will attack them a little differently and their rebounding and interior defense does bother me, but their are less and less in terms of teams that concentrate in those areas that can take advantage of it. I think this is a very solid 10-win conference team, I do not think they will stray too far from that mark, a cold spell shooting could damage this prediction, but, I feel they are a solid team here, not quite the upside of the teams left to cover, but a very safe team to rely on.

Projected Big East Record: 10-6

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PLAYER PROFILE: MIKE GANSEY

Was there a player last year on the West Virginia basketball team that more represented the program as a whole more than Mike Gansey? Last season, the junior transfer student from St Bonaventure, via Olmstead Falls, OH, captured the hearts of WVU fans with his gritty and unselfish play. He also became an instant hero by scoring 19 of his 29 points in the two overtimes in WVU's victory over Wake Forest to send WVU to the Sweet 16 (Gansey Becomes Instant WVU Hero). Making that performance even more special for Gansey and his family, it came in front of his hometown friend and family in Cleveland.

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Like many of the players on the WVU roster last season, nobody really expected a whole lot from Mike Gansey. A little-known transfer from the Atlantic 10, Gansey really picked up his play down the stretch for the Mountaineers and took over the role as the heart and soul of the WVU team. As a sophomore, the 6'4 SF averaged nearly 14 PPG for the Bonnies and shot over 40% from beyond the 3-pt arc. The Mountaineers had some rough stretches early in the year once they hit conference play and Gansey struggled, too. "I think it hit him like a sledgehammer, (as if he thought) 'I'm a small forward in the Big East with a guard's body,' " Beilein says. "Once he understood it's tougher for the other people to guard him than for him to guard the other people, he's gotten much more efficient and confident." (Gansey and Beilein Just Fine)

Once that confidence started rolling, as well as the bigger role of 6'11 Kevin Pittsnogle on the perimeter, WVU got rolling again and finished the season with a run to the Big East Tournament finals and coming one game, an overtime loss to Louisville, from reaching the Final Four.

This year Gansey is a senior leader on an experienced WVU team. Over the summer Gansey added some valuable International experience by playign for Villanova head coach Jay Wright on the gold-medal winning USA U-21 team that competed in the World University Games. On a team with high profile stars like Craig Smith, Randy Foye, Sheldon Williams, Gerry McNamara, etc, Gansey averaged 6.4 PPG and 3.4 rebounds in the 8-game competition. Last season at WVU, Gansey averaged 12 PPG, 3 assists, 5 rebounds and 1.6 steals. he was very effecient, shooting 50% from the floor and 35% from beyond the arc. This well rounded performer is another perfect fit for the WVU system and is the kind of player coach Beilein relies on to make things click at WVU because he can play several roles and is not afraid to defend and rebound in the physical Big East. With Gansey on the floor, things are usually under control for the Mountaineers.

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WEST VIRGINIA RECRUITING UPDATE

VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Jacob Green, BF (Washington, DC)

The news on Green's commitment can be found in this morning's notes section of the Charleston WVGazette: WVU Adds Another Recruit.

Projected 2006-2007 Roster
Seniors: Frank Young (SF)
Juniors: Darris Nichols (PG), Rob Summers (C), Jamie Smalligan (BF/C)
Sophomores: Joe Alexander (SF), Alex Ruoff (WF)
Freshmen: Joe Mazzula (PG), Cam Thoroughman (F), Wellington Smith (F), Desean Butler (WF), Devan Bawinkel (G), Jacob Green (BF)

Previous West Virginia Recruiting Reports: October 3 Report, October 1 Report, Sept 27 Report, August 22 Report, July 11 Report and 7/24 Round-Up.

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When your hot, you are hot! And, by golly Miss Molly, John Beilein is HOT! For the fourth time in a week, West Virginia adds a very solid recruit that should fit very well in the WVU program. Jacob Green joins Wellington Smith, Desean Butler and Devin Bawinkel in a very nice group of players that have pledged their allegience to WVU in the last week, joining earlier commitments from Cam Thoroughman and Joe Mazzula.

The Charleston Daily Mail had an article today (Beilein Working to Fill Holes)on the importance of the incoming WVU class for 2006-2007 and it has definitely been a very successful week for the West Virginia staff in filling the holes of impending graduations of five key members of the 2005-2006 team.

You may not find many of these incoming players rated among the top 100 high school seniors in this class, but that is not important. Coach Beilein found six players that should fit very well into the WVU system as they are all versatile players. Green is the latest and he adds some length and athleticism to the front court. His upside potential leaves you to believe his best basketball is definitely ahead of him. Several Big East teams were taking notice of him, but most were in kind of a wait and see mode with the 6'9 205 lb prospect. he was fielding offers from mostly the Atlantic 10 at this point, but he is the kind of player that will only get better and better playing in the system at WVU. He should be an ideal compliment to Butler transfer Jamie Smalligan in the post at WVU and gives WVU a player willing to run the floor, work on defense and the ability to block some shots.

The rest of the class is made up of players who are interchangeable at the 2, 3 and 4 positions. Mazzula and Bawinkel can easily play either guard position in the WVU system. Butler and Smith can man the wing or even the PF, like Tyrone Sally did last year and Thoroughman can be in the mix as well. Given a year or so to learn the system and become comfortable in the system and accepting their roles, this group has the ingredients to come together just like the team last year. None of the players are the type to come in and carry a large role early on, but they bring aspects to the WVU program that helped make last year's team so successful, they each can defend their position, handle the ball well for thier positions and are unselfish. Versatility and unselfish play is what Beilein's system is based on.

At this point, WVU has one scholarship open. With just Frank Young on the 2006-2007 roster as a senior, that would leave them with 2 projected scholarships for the 2007 season and it probably would be a wise move, unless something falls into their lap late in the process for 2006, to hold onto the scholarship and continue to build their recruiting profile for the future. If this year goes as expected, with all the national TV exposure in the Big East, they should have no trouble raising their recruiting level once again!

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WEST VIRGINIA RECRUITING UPDATE

VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Devan Bawinkel, G (Winnebago, IL)

Here is the story from Illinois Preps Bulls-Eye on Bawinkel's commitment: Bawinkel Commits to WVU.

Projected 2006-2007 Roster
Seniors: Frank Young (SF)
Juniors: Darris Nichols (PG), Rob Summers (C), Jamie Smalligan (BF/C)
Sophomores: Joe Alexander (SF), Alex Ruoff (WF)
Freshmen: Joe Mazzula (PG), Cam Thoroughman (F), Wellington Smith (F), Desean Butler (WF), Devan Bawinkel (G)

Previous West Virginia Recruiting Reports: October 1 Report, Sept 27 Report, August 22 Report, July 11 Report and 7/24 Round-Up.

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John Beilein and West Virginia is HOT right now! In less than a week, the Mountaineers have garnered three commitments that are going to look very good for their program, the third being Devan Bawinkel, and like Desean Butler, Bawinkel chose WVU over DePaul. The pair join Wellington Smith, and although you may not find any of them on top 100 lists on some of the national websites, that is ok, these guys offer Coach Beilein the flexibility and versatility that any team running a structured system like WVU needs. Plus, while WVU was making their run to the elite 8 last year, there were a lot of more highly rated players sitting home watching their group come VERY close to making the final four!

Bawinkel, Butler and Smith join earlier commitments Cam Thoroughman and Joe Mazzula as well as Butler transfer Jamie Smalligan to give the 2006-2007 projected WVU roster six new faces. It also leaves, by my account, two more slots open. Of course, WVU is probably waiting the decision of BF Casey Crawford and his decision could come soon as he has narrowed his choices to WVU, Texas A&M and Wichita St. At this point, we would expect WVU to take Crawford or wait it out until the spring or the class of 2007. With a good season expected in 2005-2006 and just one senior on the 2006-2007 projected roster, they could be very smart to have an extra scholarship available after this season, because another strong year should increase the WVU recruiting profile even more. See the linked article above by Illinois Prep Bulls-Eye for a complete description of Bawinkel's game and some 2007 recruiting names to remember for WVU!

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WVU Recruiting Update

VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Desean Butler, WF (Bloomfield Tech, NJ)

The New Jersey Star-Ledger has Butler's commitment story: Butler to WVU.


Projected 2006-2007 Roster
Seniors: Frank Young (SF)
Juniors: Darris Nichols (PG), Rob Summers (C), Jamie Smalligan (BF/C)
Sophomores: Joe Alexander (SF), Alex Ruoff (WF)
Freshmen: Joe Mazzula (PG), Cam Thoroughman (F), Wellington Smith (F), Desean Butler (WF)

Previous West Virginia Recruiting Reports: August 22 Report, July 11 Report and 7/24 Round-Up.

The Mountaineers and coach John Beilein have added a fourth verbal commitment, and second this week, as Desean Butler joinsWellington Smith, Cam Thoroughman and Joe Mazzula in the WVU class. Butler transfer Jamie Smalligan is currently enrolled at West Virginia and will also be eligible to compete for WVU in the 2006-2007 season. Wearedepaul.com on the scout.com network was the first to bring the news of his commitment that has now ciculated the message boards on the internet. Here is their article: Butler to WVU, subscription req'd.
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It has been a pretty good week for coach John Beilein and staff at West Virginia as they have added two quality recruits in Desean Butler and Wellington Smith. Butler is a very solid wing player that does everything a wing should do and he does it all well. He is a very good team-oriented player that will defend and help out on the boards. He is an excellent ball-handler and very solid in his perimeter offensive skills. He is a legit Big East-level recruit that should be a very solid player for West Virginia throughout his four-year career.

With the Butler commitment, WVU now has 3 scholarships open for the 2006-2007 season. WVU is in a precarious situation with this recruiting class as they are going to be turning over a large portion of their scoring and rebounding this coming season. Five of their projected top 7 players in 2005-2006 will be seniors (Herber, Pittsnogle, Beilein, Gansy and Collins), so they will be in need of a group of players that can add an infusion of talent ready to contribute. With just one senior on their projected 2006-2007 roster and high expectations for the 2005-2006 season, it is probably a wise move to hold a couple scholarships for the spring of 2006 or next fall. With a program slated for a major boost in television exposure this coming season and early season hype and expectations for a big year in Morgantown, their recruiting success should begin to catch up with their on the court success, it usually takes a little time for the exposure and success to sink in with recruits. Smith and Butler are definitely recruits that infuse some talent to make an early impact in 2006.

Right now, projecting down the line, it is probably assummed that Smalligan and Summers will attempt to platoon much in the way of Pittsnogle and Fischer last year. Frank Young moves into the Tyrone Sally role with Wellington Smith backing him up. Joe Alexander is a player to watch on the wing and Butler will squarely be in the mix as well from day one. Ruoff and Thoroughman would be wing players adding depth and Darris Nichols and Joe Mazzula would team at the guard slots. So, they would defenitely be looking for additional guard help and another big man that can play the "4" position.

With the commitment of Smith and now Butler, I am not sure on how that will impact the decision of Jejuan Brown. Brown has narrowed his choices down and WVU is a finalist, but at this point, it seems a little crowded in the combo-forward department. Devan Bawinkel is set to decide on his destination in the next week or so. Bawinkel is visiting Georgetown this weekend and will decide between WVU, DePaul and Georgetown. Michigan St has also been in the mix with him. He is from Winnebago, IL and is a close friend from AAU ball with DePaul PG commit Will Walker, so, he could pull the trigger for DePaul, where he has seemed to be leaning for some time. However, again, if you look at best fit and the chance to play PG in the future, WVU would probably be the right call for him as a player. So, it will be interesting to see how the Bawinkel saga ends. WVU would be adding a quality player in either scenario.

Besides Bawinkel, WVU has shown interest in versatile wing guards such as Earl Pettis, Kashif Pratt and Vernon Teel. All three would add a different element to the wing guard position that would help the Mountaineers. At this point in time, I am not sure if any three of them would be on the verge of a commitment to WVU or anyone at this point. However, as more and more players make decisions and scholarships get tight, you never know who will pull the trigger when. Also, Hargrave Military Academy point guard Devin Carter has also been monitored by WVU. Carter can play on or off the ball at the next level, so far, he has gotten most of his interest from the A-10 and CAA level schools.

The other front court recruit that WVU has been linked to the most is Casey Crawford. As we discussed earlier this week, Crawford visited Wichita St last weekend and will be visiting Texas A&M soon. I think he would be a nice fit at West Virginia, but getting the Kansas native to come east might be a tough task for Coach Beilein and staff.

The news around John Summers, younger brother of PSU transfer Robert Summers, has been quiet and I am not sure if he is on the WVU radar at this time. We will continue to monitor the WVU recruiting story as they head towards the November signing period, there should be more activity shortly.

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