–This wasn’t the prettiest game but West Virginia did what they needed to do by beating a team that they were simply better than even with Tucker DeVries out of the lineup. The Mountaineers started this game hot going 7-12 from the floor, but then endured an over five minute scoring drought and was 1-10 from the floor before a flurry down the stretch helped to create distance that North Carolina Central simply couldn’t make up. The Mountaineers are going to need to play well in this stretch coming up but they have the talent to get past the teams that are on the schedule.
–West Virginia had 21 assists on 28 made baskets. And I thought moved the ball well to get open looks, including making the extra pass.
–The Mountaineers had 51 of their 79 points off the bench. That’ll do.
–The Mountaineers made 41-percent from the field, 80–percent from the foul line and 38-percent from three while holding North Carolina Central to 33-percent from the field and 14-percent from three. Jake Auer in 9 minutes made more (3) than they did throughout the entire game (2-14)
–Senior guard Javon Small didn’t have his best shooting night going just 4-12 from the floor but still scored 12 points with 4 assists and a steal. He wasn’t really needed as much in this one.
–Senior guard Joe Yesufu had scored only 12 points on the season heading into tonight but had his best effort by far with 14. Yesufu out paced his previous scoring totals with his own stretch in the first half scoring 11 of the final 13 points. He had only played five minutes over the past four games, but hit some critical shots to get the team going when they fell into a slump in the first half including back-to-back threes with the shot clock running down. The Mountaineers are going to need all the help they can get while Tucker DeVries is out of the lineup and Yesufu answered the call in this one.
–Felt the two freshmen gave West Virginia some good minutes in this game. Jonathan Powell had 17 points and was 6-13 from the field, 4-10 from deep, while KJ Tenner had 9 points on 2-5 shooting and most importantly 6 assists with 0 turnovers. Tenner really played his role well in this one and while he’s still a little undersized, just plays fearless and he led the team at +38 in this one. He did a great job initiating the offense and getting into the paint and distributing the ball. The Mountaineers are going to need these two to pick up their level of play in the immediate future and tonight they certainly did their part. It’s going to be a necessity for these two to grow up in a hurry and give West Virginia quality minutes.
–Sophomore Amani Hansberry continued to remain active on the glass with 12 rebounds. Had some open shots that didn’t drop but he has continued to impress me with his effort.
–Four more blocks for Eduardo Andre. He understands his role and plays it well. He also had 8 rebounds and 2 steals to go along with 3 points.
–Jake Auer got into the game and hit three threes and Harris Elezovich scored for the first time here. The things you love to see in these types of games.
–Bethune-Cookman is up next and it’s another game that West Virginia needs to convincingly win and bide some time to hopefully get DeVries back before conference play.
–West Virginia had 21 assists on 28 made baskets. And I thought moved the ball well to get open looks, including making the extra pass.
–The Mountaineers had 51 of their 79 points off the bench. That’ll do.
–The Mountaineers made 41-percent from the field, 80–percent from the foul line and 38-percent from three while holding North Carolina Central to 33-percent from the field and 14-percent from three. Jake Auer in 9 minutes made more (3) than they did throughout the entire game (2-14)
–Senior guard Javon Small didn’t have his best shooting night going just 4-12 from the floor but still scored 12 points with 4 assists and a steal. He wasn’t really needed as much in this one.
–Senior guard Joe Yesufu had scored only 12 points on the season heading into tonight but had his best effort by far with 14. Yesufu out paced his previous scoring totals with his own stretch in the first half scoring 11 of the final 13 points. He had only played five minutes over the past four games, but hit some critical shots to get the team going when they fell into a slump in the first half including back-to-back threes with the shot clock running down. The Mountaineers are going to need all the help they can get while Tucker DeVries is out of the lineup and Yesufu answered the call in this one.
–Felt the two freshmen gave West Virginia some good minutes in this game. Jonathan Powell had 17 points and was 6-13 from the field, 4-10 from deep, while KJ Tenner had 9 points on 2-5 shooting and most importantly 6 assists with 0 turnovers. Tenner really played his role well in this one and while he’s still a little undersized, just plays fearless and he led the team at +38 in this one. He did a great job initiating the offense and getting into the paint and distributing the ball. The Mountaineers are going to need these two to pick up their level of play in the immediate future and tonight they certainly did their part. It’s going to be a necessity for these two to grow up in a hurry and give West Virginia quality minutes.
–Sophomore Amani Hansberry continued to remain active on the glass with 12 rebounds. Had some open shots that didn’t drop but he has continued to impress me with his effort.
–Four more blocks for Eduardo Andre. He understands his role and plays it well. He also had 8 rebounds and 2 steals to go along with 3 points.
–Jake Auer got into the game and hit three threes and Harris Elezovich scored for the first time here. The things you love to see in these types of games.
–Bethune-Cookman is up next and it’s another game that West Virginia needs to convincingly win and bide some time to hopefully get DeVries back before conference play.
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