Lunardi
When coach Bob Huggins was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in June, the prospects for West Virginia basketball seemed bleak. First came the resignation of the Naismith Hall of Famer. Then came a predictable exodus of key personnel, namely forward Tre Mitchell and guard Kerr Kriisa. But interim coach Josh Eilert went to work -- and quickly. He convinced Kriisa, the former Arizona standout, to stick around. He also retained transfers Jesse Edwards (Syracuse) and Raequan Battle (Montana State), while adding late portal pickups Noah Farrakhan (Eastern Michigan) and big man Akok Akok (Georgetown). The same Mountaineers who nearly fell out of our projections in the wake of Huggins' departure are now at their highest point -- a rising No. 10 seed -- since the spring. WVU has a legit chance to finish in the top half of a 14-team Big 12, all but assuring another NCAA bid.
When coach Bob Huggins was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in June, the prospects for West Virginia basketball seemed bleak. First came the resignation of the Naismith Hall of Famer. Then came a predictable exodus of key personnel, namely forward Tre Mitchell and guard Kerr Kriisa. But interim coach Josh Eilert went to work -- and quickly. He convinced Kriisa, the former Arizona standout, to stick around. He also retained transfers Jesse Edwards (Syracuse) and Raequan Battle (Montana State), while adding late portal pickups Noah Farrakhan (Eastern Michigan) and big man Akok Akok (Georgetown). The same Mountaineers who nearly fell out of our projections in the wake of Huggins' departure are now at their highest point -- a rising No. 10 seed -- since the spring. WVU has a legit chance to finish in the top half of a 14-team Big 12, all but assuring another NCAA bid.
