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WVSPORTS.COM Observations: West Virginia basketball vs. Bethune-Cookman

Keenan Cummings

Fact Based and Wonderful
Staff
Sep 16, 2007
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--Well, this game happened and that's that. No, but in all seriousness West Virginia was so much of a better team that it didn't really matter but this wasn't the cleanest game all around. This got down to single digits at the start of the second half and while the Mountaineers pulled away for a comfortable win - that isn't going to be enough with the scheduling set to get significantly harder in the next couple weeks. Still, it was a 23-point (needed 24 for those out there that care about such things) win at home and it's hard to complain too much but things need to get better.

--Didn't think this was as good of a defensive effort all-around from West Virginia. Didn't seem to be as good of an overall team effort and a lot of fouls.

--Javon Small is just so smooth and has incredible body control. He had 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in this one and at times made some plays by himself. He was 7-15 from the floor and a perfect 12-12 from the line. As long as Tucker DeVries is out, Small has to shoulder a massive load for this team. I do think it's clear this team misses DeVries and what he brings not only with his scoring/rebounding but getting the team into offense.

--Sencire Harris was able to get downhill several times and also continued to lead the break. He still has yet to hit a three-point shot (0-21) on the season but has had some bad luck there at times and he isn't forcing the issue there. Harris is a very good defender and continues to show that as well as filling the stat sheet in other areas with 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals, 2 assists and 0 turnovers in 27 minutes. He led the team at +35.

--Amani Hansberry had a solid game in this one on the offensive end going 6-9 from the field and finishing with 16 points and 6 rebounds. He was +24.

--Toby Okani only scored 5 points and took just 4 shots, but again filled the stat sheet with 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block and 1 steal in 27 minutes. He was at +27.

--Jonathan Powell had his first start today and I just continue to be so impressive with him overall. He had 14 points on 5-13 shooting and I don't think has still hasn't taken a bad shot all year. He also continues to play hard in all other areas on the floor and I think the arrow is pointing up even though he's still adjusting like most freshmen.

--Eduardo Andre only played 7 minutes but had 3 blocks and a big reason for that was foul trouble.

--West Virginia was 20-22 from the foul line. When West Virginia was able to get out and run they got easy points but that wasn't as much as they'd like.

--Mountaineers only had 6 offensive rebounds and only had 8 turnovers. Still, the flow in this one was very choppy.

--Onto Mercyhurst where West Virginia will likely enter Big 12 Conference play 9-2. But this team has a lot of things to fix between now and then.
 
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