WVU Release Derek Culver and Oscar Tshiebwe named to the All-Big 12 team

[Keenan Cummings]

Irving, Texas - Udoka Azubuike (Kansas) was named Big 12 Men’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year while Chris Clarke (Texas Tech) earned Newcomer of the Year and Oscar Tshiebwe (West Virginia) was selected as Freshman of the Year. The honors were voted on by head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own student-athletes.


Azubuike is the ninth Jayhawk to claim preseason honors as the top player. The senior center played in just nine games in 2018-19 before an injury sidelined him for the season. He averaged 13.4 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 70.5 percent from the field. As a sophomore, Azubuike led the nation with a 77.0 field goal percentage, which ranks second-best for a season in NCAA history. He averaged 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds while being named an All-Big 12 Third Team selection.


Clarke joined the Red Raiders as a graduate transfer after playing three seasons at Virginia Tech. He contributed 9.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 79 games. Clarke begins his senior season with career totals of 728 points and 517 rebounds. He is the second Red Raider in Big 12 history to garner preseason newcomer honors.


Tshiebwe is the second McDonald’s All-American to enroll at West Virginia as a freshman. He averaged 23.2 points as a senior while leading Kennedy Catholic High School to a 27-3 record and the 6A state title. Tshiebwe is the first Mountaineer picked as the preseason freshman of the year since West Virginia joined the Big 12 in 2012-13.


Joining Aubuike on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team is his teammate Devon Dotson along with Tristan Clark (Baylor), Tyrese Haliburton (Iowa State) and Desmond Bane (TCU). At the conclusion of last season, Bane was an All-Big 12 Second Team selection while Dotson was named to the third team.


The preseason poll will be announced on October 17. The Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tipoff is slated for Wednesday, October 23 at Sprint Center in Kansas City.


Preseason Player of the Year

Udoka Azubuike, Kansas, C, 7-0, 270, Sr., Delta, Nigeria/Potter’sHouse Christian Academy (Fla.)


Preseason Newcomer of the Year

Chris Clarke, Texas Tech, G, 6-6, 200, Sr., Virginia Beach, Va./Virginia Tech


Preseason Freshman of the Year

Oscar Tshiebwe, West Virginia, F, 6-9, 258, Lubumbashi, Congo/Kennedy Catholic (Pa.)


Preseason All-Big 12 Team

Name, School Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School(s)

Tristan Clark, Baylor F 6-9 240 Jr. San Antonio, Texas/Wagner

Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State G 6-5 172 So. Oshkosh, Wis./North

Udoka Azubuike, Kansas C 7-0 270 Sr. Delta, Nigeria/Potter’sHouse Christian Academy (Fla.)

Devon Dotson, Kansas G 6-2 185 So. Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day School

Desmond Bane, TCU G 6-6 215 Sr. Richmond, Ind./Seton Catholic


Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically by school):

Xavier Sneed (K-State), Kristian Doolittle (Oklahoma), Yor Anei (Oklahoma State), Matt Coleman (Texas), Chris Clarke (Texas Tech), Davide Moretti (Texas Tech), Jahmi’us Ramsey (Texas Tech), Derek Culver (West Virginia)

 

[WVUALLEN]

Can't wait for BB season. Last year left a nasty taste.

 

[doneagain]

Can't wait for BB season. Last year left a nasty taste.

Oh yeah, well Dana would never have........ oh wait........ sorry........ so used to hearing the Dana was great at everything mantra that I got confused.

 

[muraca777]

Why were gonna stink didnt somebody already say that on paper A. Wasnt a real thing and B. We suck on paper. Must be why we spend years finishing so many spots higher than predicted. Which we will again this year. This team, if healthy, is some 3 point consistency and health from being very dangerous on a national level no matter what these texa$$ peckerheads on here have to say

 

[TownesVanZandt]

West VA should be predicted to finish 7th-10th.

There are some pieces you like while there are things you don't.
The continued development of players and the new players are the key.

You made a claim on paper that WVU was as good as any team in the league.
I don't know about that. People are saying this is as good as Baylor has ever been on paper.
KU returns pretty much everyone. Tech brought in some grad transfers to go along with what they return.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

I have to wait to see Jordan McCabe

If McCabe played like he did last year this is a .500 team who will go 6-12 in the Big 12.

But if McCabe can be a defensive guard and create issues this team can win a lot of games plus if Oscar and Culver can play on the floor together
As of right now Oscar will take away from Culver. Hard to put them on the floor together and expect to play at a high level.
Haley is better suited to play the 4 and use Sherman and Matthews

 

[mofo]

I have to wait to see Jordan McCabe

If McCabe played like he did last year this is a .500 team who will go 6-12 in the Big 12.

But if McCabe can be a defensive guard and create issues this team can win a lot of games plus if Oscar and Culver can play on the floor together
As of right now Oscar will take away from Culver. Hard to put them on the floor together and expect to play at a high level.
Haley is better suited to play the 4 and use Sherman and Matthews

Went to the Friday scrimmage and the team has work to do to make NCAAs.

McBride looked better than McCabe.

Oscar loves to dunk,
need better short range game

And Oscar's and Culver's team
lost by almost 20.

Gabe, Arkansas transfer looks good.
Routt looked much better.

Taz Sherman and Sean McNeil are interesting.
Sean McNeil looked like a strong safety.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

Mike Anderson is a great coach. Gabe knows how to play.
Interested in seeing if he is eligible

Gives you someone who can play the 3 or 4

Ultimately I think Oscar is going to be able to play the 5.
Runs the floor
Better interior defender
Gives you a chance to play positionless defense

McCabe and Culver were liabilities on defense last year.

 

[doneagain]

Mike Anderson is a great coach. Gabe knows how to play.
Interested in seeing if he is eligible

Gives you someone who can play the 3 or 4

Ultimately I think Oscar is going to be able to play the 5.
Runs the floor
Better interior defender
Gives you a chance to play positionless defense

McCabe and Culver were liabilities on defense last year.

Everybody seemed to be a liability last year.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

Everybody seemed to be a liability last year.

Except Haley when he got the minutes.

There are probably games Haley wasn't there 100% on both ends of the court but he really stood out
His versatility is what helped WV turn the corner

 

[mofo]

Think Huggins would have to be very creative with basketball minutes.

After last season, there is zero tenure.

And does Huggins have the energy to coordinate these minutes,
instead of collecting a paycheck.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

Huggins was pissed last year. He is fighting mad. You can tell by his tweet to Andy Katz.


But....
Jevon Carter isn't stepping onto the floor. Who is going to represent Huggins on the floor?

You don't have that Chicago/St Louis style PG out there in Jevon Carter.

Can McCabe become that guy is the question.

Huggins can't play the game himself no matter how much he wants to.
Someone has to be him out there and be a fighter

 

[WVUALLEN]

West VA should be predicted to finish 7th-10th.

There are some pieces you like while there are things you don't.
The continued development of players and the new players are the key.

You made a claim on paper that WVU was as good as any team in the league.
I don't know about that. People are saying this is as good as Baylor has ever been on paper.
KU returns pretty much everyone. Tech brought in some grad transfers to go along with what they return.

Yup WVU didn't bring in anybody.

WVU might get picked to finish 7th or lower but they will finish 4 or 5. Big 12 will be down this year.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

Yup WVU didn't bring in anybody.

WVU might get picked to finish 7th or lower but they will finish 4 or 5. Big 12 will be down this year.

Maybe.

I am higher on Oklahoma State.
Waters and Dziagwa are dangerous because of how they can shoot and move without the ball.

Waters is being disrespected by not being named to the Preseason All Big 12 list.


Someone has to finish on the bottom and this year it will be a quality team.

Both you are Oklahoma State are much better

Iowa State, K State and Oklahoma still have talent and two of them have great coaches

TCU has depth this year and maybe the best scorer in the Big 12 with Bane.
Dixon's teams always play defense

 

[TownesVanZandt]

You better win OOC because getting 9 or 10 wins in the Big 12 in 2019-2020 will be tough .
Pretty much need to lose only 1 or 2 OOC games.

You claim the Big 12 is down every year and anyone around basketball will tell you that it is probably as good as it has been because you don't have a TCU before Jamie Dixon and Oklahoma State has a full team this year with upperclassmen guards

 

[Pitt4Life34]

You better win OOC because getting 9 or 10 wins in the Big 12 in 2019-2020 will be tough .
Pretty much need to lose only 1 or 2 OOC games.

You claim the Big 12 is down every year and anyone around basketball will tell you that it is probably as good as it has been because you don't have a TCU before Jamie Dixon and Oklahoma State has a full team this year with upperclassmen guards

Go away blowhard

 

[skygusty]

I somehow missed hearing about this kid - from Mtneer Sports, 'Spencer Macke will walk on for the West Virginia University basketball team next season, but he isn’t just any ordinary walk on. Macke was the leading scorer and rebounder in the state of Kentucky last year, averaging 34.9 points and 15.8 rebounds a game. While playing for Silver Grove High School, a very small high school just down the road from Cincinnati, Macke absolutely dominated his competition." 5'11" freshman.

 

[WVUALLEN]

Maybe.

I am higher on Oklahoma State.
Waters and Dziagwa are dangerous because of how they can shoot and move without the ball.

Waters is being disrespected by not being named to the Preseason All Big 12 list.


Someone has to finish on the bottom and this year it will be a quality team.

Both you are Oklahoma State are much better

Iowa State, K State and Oklahoma still have talent and two of them have great coaches

TCU has depth this year and maybe the best scorer in the Big 12 with Bane.
Dixon's teams always play defense

TCU doesn't have jack shit. Dixon teams blow chunks just like when he was at Pitt.

SB Nation
TCU was picked 10th. TCU has one of the worst coaches in college basketball. Kansas State picked 9th. Oklahoma picked 8th.

2019-20 Big 12 Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Kansas (8) – 802.
2. Baylor (1) – 71
3. Texas Tech (1) – 62
4. Texas – 57
5. West Virginia – 45
6. Oklahoma State – 42
7. Iowa State – 30
8. Oklahoma – 29
9. Kansas State – 23
10. TCU – 11

The Wildcats lost three of their top players — Barry Brown, Kamau Stokes and Dean Wade.

 

[muraca777]

Oh I forgot ignore what the coaches, my own eyes, and our hall of fame coach see and listen to what this jackass says, bottom 3, got it. Lmao. JFC go jerk off your goat idiot

 

[TownesVanZandt]

KenPom came out with his ratings for 2019-2020

Big 12 has 9 Top 50 teams.
West Virginia is the only one out of the Top 50
https://kenpom.com/

4-10 has been different in everyone I seen. I don't think anyone has an idea about what is going on in the Big 12 this season.

Huggins often gets the benefit of the doubt.

Here are the KenPom rankings
10. West VA
9. Kansas State
8. Iowa State
7. TCU
6. Oklahoma State
5. Texas
4. Oklahoma
3. Texas Tech
2. Baylor
1. Kansas

 

[WVUALLEN]

Ranking from last years stats.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

The prediction for this year based on a lot of factors
Not always credit. Probably not even 50%. But neither are any Preseason rankings.

But the point is outside of the Top 3 you have the rest of the conference who feels very much like West VA does going into this season.
This is why you see suck drastic rankings before the basketball season. Some people are higher on certain teams more than the others.

Especially WVU because you have so many new faces but none of them have played major college basketball.

 

[WVUALLEN]

The prediction for this year based on a lot of factors
Not always credit. Probably not even 50%. But neither are any Preseason rankings.

But the point is outside of the Top 3 you have the rest of the conference who feels very much like West VA does going into this season.
This is why you see suck drastic rankings before the basketball season. Some people are higher on certain teams more than the others.

Especially WVU because you have so many new faces but none of them have played major college basketball.

Texas Tech 2018-19.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

They had Jarrett Culver.

One of the reasons why I don't think Tech will be as good as they have is missing Culver.

WVU doesn't have a player that can impact a game on the level of Culver.
Their entire perimeter defense was because of Culver.