My Fiver on WVU's victory over Iona last night in the Coliseum>>>
1. 51.8% FG and 48.4% 3FG (15-31) will win you a lot of games. Iona is going to struggle to win games this season - they were slow on ball reversals and left a lot of open shooters. But, I'll take the "W".
2. Javon Small's stat line: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 1 block and only 1 TO in 31 minutes is damn impressive. He's shown he can do this sort of thing vs. the Robert Morrises and Ionas of the world. I want to see it vs. Gonzaga, Kansas and the Big 12.
3. KJ Tenner is damn impressive. On the season, he is 12/19 from the field (63.1%), 2/6 from "3" (33.3%) and has 7 assists vs. only one TO. For a true freshman, his game is very buttoned up, in control, and heady for someone who is playing for the first time at this level. He fared well enough vs. Pitt in his first big time challenge. I think we're all going to really love this kid by the time he is done here.
4. One downside from last night - Iona snagged 18 offensive rebounds. WVU only logged 27 defensive rebounds on Iona's 45 missed shots (60% defensive rebound rate). That 60% DR would rank WVU #350 in the nation out of 364 D-1 teams. WVU is currently ranked 255th in the nation overall at 69.3% DR...need to get better here or we are going to have real trouble vs. better competition.
5. 3-1 for Darian DeVries after 4. OK. Last year we slogged and slumbered through the cupcake portion of the schedule, even losing to Monmouth and Radford. At least for DD this season, he has defeated UMass, and taken care of business vs. the two cupcakes. However, that Pitt debacle still looms large in the psyche, as we were thoroughly embarrassed. It's time to get on the path to redemption in the Bahamas and put forth an effort which will be worthy of our admiration. No, I do not expect to beat Gonzaga, but I do hope to snag a win or two in the Battle for Atlantis to get things straight. This team has talent, and there is enough here to perhaps end the season with an at-large berth to the Dance. However, DD is going to need to find a way to ensure this team is cohesive and connected when challenged, and doesn't splinter and fold like what occurred in Pittsburgh Friday night. Season is still young, and I'm confident he'll get this squad there.
1. 51.8% FG and 48.4% 3FG (15-31) will win you a lot of games. Iona is going to struggle to win games this season - they were slow on ball reversals and left a lot of open shooters. But, I'll take the "W".
2. Javon Small's stat line: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 1 block and only 1 TO in 31 minutes is damn impressive. He's shown he can do this sort of thing vs. the Robert Morrises and Ionas of the world. I want to see it vs. Gonzaga, Kansas and the Big 12.
3. KJ Tenner is damn impressive. On the season, he is 12/19 from the field (63.1%), 2/6 from "3" (33.3%) and has 7 assists vs. only one TO. For a true freshman, his game is very buttoned up, in control, and heady for someone who is playing for the first time at this level. He fared well enough vs. Pitt in his first big time challenge. I think we're all going to really love this kid by the time he is done here.
4. One downside from last night - Iona snagged 18 offensive rebounds. WVU only logged 27 defensive rebounds on Iona's 45 missed shots (60% defensive rebound rate). That 60% DR would rank WVU #350 in the nation out of 364 D-1 teams. WVU is currently ranked 255th in the nation overall at 69.3% DR...need to get better here or we are going to have real trouble vs. better competition.
5. 3-1 for Darian DeVries after 4. OK. Last year we slogged and slumbered through the cupcake portion of the schedule, even losing to Monmouth and Radford. At least for DD this season, he has defeated UMass, and taken care of business vs. the two cupcakes. However, that Pitt debacle still looms large in the psyche, as we were thoroughly embarrassed. It's time to get on the path to redemption in the Bahamas and put forth an effort which will be worthy of our admiration. No, I do not expect to beat Gonzaga, but I do hope to snag a win or two in the Battle for Atlantis to get things straight. This team has talent, and there is enough here to perhaps end the season with an at-large berth to the Dance. However, DD is going to need to find a way to ensure this team is cohesive and connected when challenged, and doesn't splinter and fold like what occurred in Pittsburgh Friday night. Season is still young, and I'm confident he'll get this squad there.
