2006 BIG EAST EARLY RECRUITING CLASSES: #6 WEST VIRGINIA

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)

You know you are in a tough conference when you post what is probably a top-25 recruiting class and your are slated 6th in your own conference. That is probably what the future of the new Big East is going to be with the recruiting power it is currently displaying.

This is definitely a good class put together by John Beilein and it is needed with the pending losses due to graduation of Kevin Pittsnogle, Mike Gansey, Joe Herber, Patrick Beilein and JD Collins. Those five are currently representing 83.3% of WVU's scoring and 75& of their rebounding totals, so the new recruits, along with Butler transfer Jamie Smalligan have to be ready to go right away.

However, expectations for the recruiting classes probably need to be tempered just a bit. Two players probably most ready to play right away are Devan Bawinkel and Desean Butler, but neither will be the kind that comes in right away and lights it up for the Mountaineers in Big East play. The WVU system is one, that once understood and accepted, will help good players work well together to accomplish result better than their individual talents. Players like Wellington Smith and Jacob Green also add intriguing upside to the mix that in a couple seasons, are going to be better and better as the approach finished products. Add in Joe Mazzula and cam Thoroughman, and you have another group that could grow very well together and keep the WVU system flowing.

Expectations for next year might not be all that great, and, really, they shouldn't be. But, the Mountaineer faithful should have a lot of fun watching this group come together under the direction of an excellent coaching staff and they do represent a talent upgrade in previous recruiting classes, meaning the downtime should not be as "down" as in the past and they should be back up and running quicker. WVU is in the process of turning over a very good team and building the program under John Beilein, it is only natural to have a small adjustment period as you restock the talent level in the program from top to bottom, they are off to a very good start.

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