--West Virginia head coach Josh Eilert said he was grateful for the fans that came out for the season opener. It was a special evening for him and it's a great sense of relief when you get that first win and he had a lot of family in town. It meant a lot to him but is glad that it's over. Game one is in the books and they got the monkey off their backs and will move onto game two. Monmouth is a good team and they're a scrappy bunch that will get up in you and take things away and can really score. They are trying to do everything they can to help their legs and rest up.
--Offensively he was worried in the opener because they shot 14-percent in the first half but it couldn't get any worse in the second half so they trusted themselves and the process. They had the right spacing and got where they needed to be in the second half. One of the most underrated parts of basketball is a good solid screen, which they used in the second half to get shots.
--Eilert had to read the room when it comes to nagging injuries and he needs to make sure he is mindful about not getting up and down as much. They spent more time in the film room because it's a great teaching tool.
--Eilert has a lot of trust and faith in the staff and they talk collectively. You can't control as much as you think you can control as a head coach so the more they have communication and a game plan prior to the game, he trusts his staff to make decisions on rotations and substitutions to make those decisions. It was part of the strategy to steal some rest before a media timeout for some players throughout that first game of the year.
--West Virginia had to use some zone to maintain fresh legs, but they also used it to change the game. Eilert might have got a little too creative late in the game but they made some mistakes defensively and understanding what they are in by communicating.
--Eilert thought that Jesse Edwards did a great job of staying out of foul trouble and he was surprised with what he can do on the perimeter defensively. Kobe Johnson and Seth Wilson both played well and the opponent invited the guards to shoot them out of their defense. The more touches that Jesse Edwards can get the better because he is going to make the right decisions.
--Eilert said they will play three games in eight days but hopefully they get some more added depth in a few weeks and will get some good news there. You try to keep fresh legs with a short bench.
--They've put the Exhibition to bed and have focused on the Missouri State game when it comes to film review. You have to correct the mistakes you're making and be more efficient.
--Edwards is a way more willing and efficient passer from the post than some recent bigs, so they need to make sure they maintain the correct spacing and other things. It comes down to making open shots and the step in shots are the easiest ones to make. People were trying to do too much in the first half of the opener and when they see structure break down and people aren't in the right spot, guys are more likely to go off the dribble.
--Eilert thought he would hear yesterday or day on RaeQuan Battle but he's optimistic. Things are trending in a positive direction on Akok Akok but nothing new to report. He can't get on the floor right now, it's all in the medical staff's hands.
--Patrick Suemnick and Jeremiah Bembry need more reps. There is a couple of really good plays that Suemnick gave them in the second half they need to get him to where he is comfortable being on the floor and playing with great instinct.
--It's helpful to have some film to go off of for Monmouth which they didn't have any for Missouri State.
--Eilert said we have to adapt to the way they're calling it. They didn't get any of those calls in terms of the primary defender against George Mason, but got one against Missouri State. They are getting to the separation of the rule where it won't be a block every time in terms of the secondary or help side defender. But the primary defender if he beats him to his spot it's still a charge. You have to teach walling up.
--Eilert is telling his players to be ready to take advantage of their opportunities when it comes to the bench players.
--Kerr Kriisa and Kobe Johnson are two different point guards so the way you call the game is different. Kriisa is effective off the ball screen and can make good decisions, while Johnson is steady. He can come downhill and put a lot of pressure on the rim and they want him to go with that mindset and be more aggressive. The two are different though and you need to keep that in mind.
--Eilert said the whole idea is for it to be free flowing with the transition into early offense. They were tired so they got away from their bread and butter which is getting out and filling corners. They have a lot of sets they can go to when the play breaks down and they only got into it about four times. You know what works well for the right combinations so you call a set based on what's in front of you, but you need to adjust with changes to the lineups.
--West Virginia will have significant depth if they get through the first nine games and get some players on the roster back. They are going to be a lot stronger in January and February than they would have been because players were given chances in the early part of the year.
--West Virginia worked on press break and the one thing he did realize was how close the opener was when they opened it up with a minute to go when they were pressing them.
--Offensively he was worried in the opener because they shot 14-percent in the first half but it couldn't get any worse in the second half so they trusted themselves and the process. They had the right spacing and got where they needed to be in the second half. One of the most underrated parts of basketball is a good solid screen, which they used in the second half to get shots.
--Eilert had to read the room when it comes to nagging injuries and he needs to make sure he is mindful about not getting up and down as much. They spent more time in the film room because it's a great teaching tool.
--Eilert has a lot of trust and faith in the staff and they talk collectively. You can't control as much as you think you can control as a head coach so the more they have communication and a game plan prior to the game, he trusts his staff to make decisions on rotations and substitutions to make those decisions. It was part of the strategy to steal some rest before a media timeout for some players throughout that first game of the year.
--West Virginia had to use some zone to maintain fresh legs, but they also used it to change the game. Eilert might have got a little too creative late in the game but they made some mistakes defensively and understanding what they are in by communicating.
--Eilert thought that Jesse Edwards did a great job of staying out of foul trouble and he was surprised with what he can do on the perimeter defensively. Kobe Johnson and Seth Wilson both played well and the opponent invited the guards to shoot them out of their defense. The more touches that Jesse Edwards can get the better because he is going to make the right decisions.
--Eilert said they will play three games in eight days but hopefully they get some more added depth in a few weeks and will get some good news there. You try to keep fresh legs with a short bench.
--They've put the Exhibition to bed and have focused on the Missouri State game when it comes to film review. You have to correct the mistakes you're making and be more efficient.
--Edwards is a way more willing and efficient passer from the post than some recent bigs, so they need to make sure they maintain the correct spacing and other things. It comes down to making open shots and the step in shots are the easiest ones to make. People were trying to do too much in the first half of the opener and when they see structure break down and people aren't in the right spot, guys are more likely to go off the dribble.
--Eilert thought he would hear yesterday or day on RaeQuan Battle but he's optimistic. Things are trending in a positive direction on Akok Akok but nothing new to report. He can't get on the floor right now, it's all in the medical staff's hands.
--Patrick Suemnick and Jeremiah Bembry need more reps. There is a couple of really good plays that Suemnick gave them in the second half they need to get him to where he is comfortable being on the floor and playing with great instinct.
--It's helpful to have some film to go off of for Monmouth which they didn't have any for Missouri State.
--Eilert said we have to adapt to the way they're calling it. They didn't get any of those calls in terms of the primary defender against George Mason, but got one against Missouri State. They are getting to the separation of the rule where it won't be a block every time in terms of the secondary or help side defender. But the primary defender if he beats him to his spot it's still a charge. You have to teach walling up.
--Eilert is telling his players to be ready to take advantage of their opportunities when it comes to the bench players.
--Kerr Kriisa and Kobe Johnson are two different point guards so the way you call the game is different. Kriisa is effective off the ball screen and can make good decisions, while Johnson is steady. He can come downhill and put a lot of pressure on the rim and they want him to go with that mindset and be more aggressive. The two are different though and you need to keep that in mind.
--Eilert said the whole idea is for it to be free flowing with the transition into early offense. They were tired so they got away from their bread and butter which is getting out and filling corners. They have a lot of sets they can go to when the play breaks down and they only got into it about four times. You know what works well for the right combinations so you call a set based on what's in front of you, but you need to adjust with changes to the lineups.
--West Virginia will have significant depth if they get through the first nine games and get some players on the roster back. They are going to be a lot stronger in January and February than they would have been because players were given chances in the early part of the year.
--West Virginia worked on press break and the one thing he did realize was how close the opener was when they opened it up with a minute to go when they were pressing them.
