My Fiver on WVU's big win over Robert Morris to start the Darian DeVries Era in Morgantown Monday night...
1. Sencire Harris. 4 points on 2-3 shooting (0-0 3pt), 4 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 TO in 25 minutes - that box score isn't exactly going to jump out at you. But, Harris was my MVP Monday night. This kid is a DAWG. Ballhawk. When we landed the boatload of transfers to construct this team, I'll admit I was far more excited about Tucker DeVries, Amani Hansberry, even Jayden Stone. But, right now, I want this kid on the floor as much as humanly possible. He plays so damn hard, he's going to need breaks. And the nice thing about his defensive intensity is that it's contagious. The other guys feed off of it. How good were our defensive possessions before the first media TO? We go into the first media TO up 16-0. And my favorite part of Harris's game is the 3 blocked shots. He never gives up.
2. Tucker DeVries. DeVries is obviously a big time player. It's going to be fun to watch him go up against better competition, but more than anything else, it's nice to have a bonafide sniper on our squad surrounded by guys who can penetrate if needed or pickNpop if necessary. It's going to be difficult to overplay him with Javon Small and KJ Tenner running point, or with Amani Hansberry or Jonathan Powell setting screens. 18 points on 6/13 shooting including 4/9 from "3" is a great way to start the season. Love the fact that he has a quick trigger and seemingly no conscience.
3. KJ Tenner and Jon Powell are damn good as freshmen. I'll give Darian DeVries a lot of credit having these two true freshmen not only ready to play, but ready to be an integral part of our top 8 in rotation with absolutely no dropoff when they enter the game. Powell is going to be a big time player for us. And I feel great for the future knowing we have Tenner in the fold at point. Those two combine for 5/9 from "3" and 21 points off of the bench - and in 36 combined minutes have zero turnovers.
4. Our "5" position will be interesting to watch this season. Amani Hansberry hits for 9 points and 12 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal in 26 minutes. Eduardo Andre went for 4 points, 4 rebounds and a block in 14 minutes. I'd like to see Hansberry get hot from outside, as we'll need his ability to stretch defenses. 1-4 from "3" was fine, but not real good. He's going to be a great PnR option for DeVries, Okani, Small, etc. this season, as he can not only roll to the rim for a lob, but can pickNpop if necessary. You lose that ability with Andre on the floor...but we're going to need 15 minutes a night from Andre. That does worry me a bit, as Andre isn't exactly up to Big 12 standards. He's going to struggle a bit vs. better competition, and you just hope he's able to rim protect, rebound and get the occasional putback while in for Hansberry.
5. Outlook after game 1? Well, TeamRankings.com has WVU pegged at 13-16 projected after Game Uno, #74 in the country, #13 in the Big 12 and 1n 18% chance to make the Dance. I liked what I saw Monday night, thoroughly enjoyed the 30-2 start, and enjoyed the refreshing new style of basketball we play. We let our guard down as the game wore on, but that was inevitable. We still were +8 in the 2nd half after going into the break with a 20-point lead. Darian DeVries has put together a team with great length across 1-4, great athleticism, shooters everywhere you look, a couple defensive specialists, and big time point guard play with Small and seemingly with Tenner. This team will be able to compete with most, if not all, opponents on our schedule. We look well-coached and connected. While we'll have off nights here and there, there is potential here to be Dancing in March.
