2008 West Virginia Basketball Predictions & Picks

Bob Huggins enters his second season at West Virginia looking to top a 26-11 overall record and 11-7 in the Big East. The Mountaineers got a bid to the NCAA tournament where they defeated Arizona and Duke before losing to Xavier in the Sweet 16. This season West Virginia will have more of a Bob Huggins look. Huggins lost Joe Alexander and Darris Nichols, but brings in a nationally ranked recruiting class that includes Devin Ebanks, one of the nation’s top 15 incoming players. The Mountaineers have made the postseason each of the last five seasons including two trips to the Sweet 16, a trip to the Elite Eight, and two NIT appearance, including 2007 when West Virginia won the NIT.

Incoming freshman Roscoe Davis is the only player on West Virginia’s roster that has the potential to be a true center. Davis is an active player with length and energy, but he needs strength, and if he isn’t ready Dee Proby may get the start. Proby is a power forward who has a big boyd and is skilled, passes well, and makes shots facing the basket. Wellington Smith returns from last season. He improved last season and has gotten stronger in the offseason. Smith, a power forward, and small forward Da’Sean Butler went to Taiwan over the summer with Athletes in Action. Butler could slide from small forward to power forward to make way for Ebanks. Butler can play inside or outside. Ebanks could be the Mountaineers’ marquee player as he is an outstanding perimeter shooter with size and mobility. Also in the frontcourt is another highly rated recruit in Kevin Jones, who can also play inside or out.

Joe Mazzula, who was the star of the NCAA win over Duke, returns this season and is a fearless scorer. He needs to deliver the ball better, but should have a good season. Darryl Bryant, an incoming freshman, will play behind him. He gets the ball to the basket very well, and his nickname is “Truck.” Alex Ruoff returns at the 2-guard. He ranked second on the team last season with 13.8 points per game. Ebanks could also move over to shooting guard, as he has the ability to shoot over defenders or drive by them. He just needs to get stronger.

Final Analysis

Because the Mountaineers are young, they may struggle early as their incoming recruits adjust to the college level, but if Ebanks immediately assumes control this team will be dangerous from day one. West Virginia plays some cupcakes in Longwood and Elon, but they also play Ohio State, Ole Miss, and in a Las Vegas Touranment, two of these three: Iowa, Kansas State, and Kentucky. Not only that, but the Big East is absolutely loaded this season and the Mountaineers play a full league schedule. This team does have depth, so Ebanks probably doesn’t have to replace Joe Alexander. This is a team that won’t sneak up on anyone after last season and with Huggins on the bench, but it shouldn’t have to with the mix of returning talent and incoming recruits. Look for West Virginia to get stronger as the season goes on. We have them finishing in the middle of the pack in the Big East, which should garner the Mountaineers an NCAA bid once again this season. They could be a very dangerous team in March. BetUS has the West Virginia Mountaineers at +3500 odds to win the NCAA championship this season.

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