--West Virginia didn't play anywhere close to their best in this game but showed some grit finding a way to tough it out and win. The Mountaineers shot 37-percent from the field and that was 25-percent in the second half but made enough plays to get things done and find a way to win this game. The first half again was very good, but things got away from them in the second as they struggled and the game got close. You're going to have these games where you simply aren't making shots against a physical basketball team and it's important to have these types of challenges early in the season to prepare for what's to come moving forward. End of the story, the Mountaineers are now 2-0 on the season and have a week to prepare for their first road trip of the season to Pittsburgh.
--West Virginia continued to play hard on defense especially in the first half but I do think the energy level took a dip on both ends at times in the second. That wasn't as good as the start of the second and that allowed the game to get closer. The Mountaineers went almost seven minutes without a basket in the second half and were still able to keep Massachusetts from taking control of the game in the end though and again West Virginia turned their defense into offense.
--West Virginia struggled in the half court offensively, but were effective when they could get out and run. The Mountaineers had 19 points in the fast break and 22 points off 15 turnovers.
--The difference in this game with West Virginia shooting so poorly? The Mountaineers were 25-29 from the foul line, while UMAss was just 13-20.
--Didn't have West Virginia winning the rebounding edge in this one at 36-34, but overall a solid effort there but still 12 offensive rebounds allowed and a total of 17 second chance points. It's going to continue to be an issue until it isn't.
--West Virginia wasn't nearly as crisp offensively in this game with 14 turnovers and were careless with the basketball at times. But they did share the ball well in some stretches and got some really easy baskets by doing so. West Virginia had 12 assists on 21 made baskets.
--Tucker DeVries was again the best player on the floor for West Virginia on the offensive end and finished with 17 points and 8 rebounds even though he did have 5 turnovers. Still, he was able to make some critical baskets/plays when things got tight.
--Amani Hansberry had 16 points and 6 rebounds with 2 steals and just one turnover. He definitely continues to express confidence in his shot and made some critical plays for this team down the stretch. Thought he played really well at times in the second half.
--Eduardo Andre only played 13 minutes, but thought he was huge down the stretch in this game with both his defense blocking shots and rebounding. He had 6 rebounds and 3 blocks, each of the swats in the second half and stepped up down the stretch.
--West Virginia also got some good minutes out of Joseph Yesufu scoring 5 points with a rebound and an assist in just six minutes. He should continue to see more action as he works his way back.
--Both Jonathan Powell with 10 points on 4-10 shooting and KJ Tenner with 4 points on 2-6 shooting again didn't look like freshmen. Both are playing with confidence and should only get better.
--West Virginia continued to play hard on defense especially in the first half but I do think the energy level took a dip on both ends at times in the second. That wasn't as good as the start of the second and that allowed the game to get closer. The Mountaineers went almost seven minutes without a basket in the second half and were still able to keep Massachusetts from taking control of the game in the end though and again West Virginia turned their defense into offense.
--West Virginia struggled in the half court offensively, but were effective when they could get out and run. The Mountaineers had 19 points in the fast break and 22 points off 15 turnovers.
--The difference in this game with West Virginia shooting so poorly? The Mountaineers were 25-29 from the foul line, while UMAss was just 13-20.
--Didn't have West Virginia winning the rebounding edge in this one at 36-34, but overall a solid effort there but still 12 offensive rebounds allowed and a total of 17 second chance points. It's going to continue to be an issue until it isn't.
--West Virginia wasn't nearly as crisp offensively in this game with 14 turnovers and were careless with the basketball at times. But they did share the ball well in some stretches and got some really easy baskets by doing so. West Virginia had 12 assists on 21 made baskets.
--Tucker DeVries was again the best player on the floor for West Virginia on the offensive end and finished with 17 points and 8 rebounds even though he did have 5 turnovers. Still, he was able to make some critical baskets/plays when things got tight.
--Amani Hansberry had 16 points and 6 rebounds with 2 steals and just one turnover. He definitely continues to express confidence in his shot and made some critical plays for this team down the stretch. Thought he played really well at times in the second half.
--Eduardo Andre only played 13 minutes, but thought he was huge down the stretch in this game with both his defense blocking shots and rebounding. He had 6 rebounds and 3 blocks, each of the swats in the second half and stepped up down the stretch.
--West Virginia also got some good minutes out of Joseph Yesufu scoring 5 points with a rebound and an assist in just six minutes. He should continue to see more action as he works his way back.
--Both Jonathan Powell with 10 points on 4-10 shooting and KJ Tenner with 4 points on 2-6 shooting again didn't look like freshmen. Both are playing with confidence and should only get better.
