[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]
On Sunday evening, Bob Huggins got his fourth transfer of the offseason in Jimmy Bell Jr.
Bell Jr. joins the likes of Erik Stevenson, Joe Toussaint, and Mohamed Wague as newcomers to the Mountaineers this season. All of this comes in the past month, since the Mountaineers lost Jalen Bridges, Isaiah Cottrell, and Sean McNeil to the transfer portal, as well as losing Taz Sherman, Gabe Osabuohien, Malik Curry, Pauly Paulicap and Dimon Carrigan as they all graduated.
This season’s roster will have a new look and certainly new identity based on who they have brought in, but some questions still remain with next year’s roster.
Last season, West Virginia ranked last in the Big 12 in total defense, allowing 69 points per game, while the Mountaineers ranked ninth in rebounds per game, and were last in combined opponents rebounds as well as last in assists per game. These three glaring issues have been some of the main focuses of the transfer portal for Huggins and his staff.
Stevenson and Toussaint give West Virginia two more guards in addition to Kedrian Johnson who can guard and harass opposing offenses. Last season, Stevenson averaged just over one steal per game, while averaging 11.6 points per game, and 4.7 rebounds per game. Stevenson is listed at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, making him one of the bigger guards which will certainly help with the physicality of Big 12 play.
Toussaint offers West Virginia something they did not have last season in a true ball handler. For the majority of last season, Curry and Johnson were in charge of point guard duties for West Virginia. Johnson is not a true point guard, and Curry’s lack of size sometimes hurt the Mountaineers.
Although Toussaint is not the biggest guy in the world, standing at 6-foot, 190 pounds, he has power five experience coming from Iowa. Toussaint spent his last three seasons with the Hawkeyes, including starting 21 games this past season. Toussaint had a 2.33 assist-to-turnover ratio, which ranked in the top ten in the conference.
Toussaint seems to be a true point guard with a lot of playing experience. Toussaint’s 51 steals last season landed him at second in the Big Ten in steals, while he also averaged 4.3 points per game. Toussaint seems to fit in to be a traditional pass first point guard. Toussaint will be able to take care of the ball, especially in late game situations against a pressing defense. Toussaint will have two years of eligibility left, while Stevenson has one year remaining.
As far as the front court goes, West Virginia lost four inside guys this offseason, and had no one taller than 6-foot-8 on their roster or signed in this year’s class.
The first move Huggins went out and made was for Mohamed Wague. Wague is 6-foot-9, 200 pounds, and was one of the top rebounders in JUCO last season. Wague averaged just under 12 rebounds per game, while ranking first in the NJCAA in total number of rebounds, and third in total blocks with 102.
Then on Sunday, West Virginia got a commitment from Jimmy Bell Jr. Bell is a force on the inside, standing at 6-foot-10, 280 pounds. Bell also played at the JUCO level this past season, after playing at Saint Louis for the previous two seasons. Bell averaged 9.3 points per game, and 9.1 rebounds per game.
Currently, West Virginia’s roster has six guards and six forwards. However, out of the six guards, five of them have experience playing at the power five Division I level, while only two of the forwards have experience — James Okonkwo and Jamel King. And even those two, saw very limited action this season.
Huggins now has one scholarship left, barring any unforeseen circumstances of him changing his class around. Huggins is set to welcome in the four transfers, as well as guard Josiah Davis, and forwards Josiah Harris and Pat Suemnick.
The biggest question left is what should Huggins do with his last scholarship. The quick answer is to find more scoring, but depending on the defensive style played, more turnovers could lead to more easy transition baskets and therefore more points. Looking at who you have in the front court, finding an experienced big, could prove to be crucial, as Okonkwo, Wague, and Bell all have not had that much experience at this level of college basketball.
Assuming King continues to develop, as well as counting on the contribution from a guy like Suemnick who averaged 12.0 points per game at Triton College, while shooting 17-for-41 (41%) from three, that could replace the role of Jalen Bridges. Bridges, averaged 8.4 points per game this past season, while shooting 37-for-114 (32.5%) from three.
With the return of guys in the back court such as Johnson, Wilson, and Kobe Johnson, West Virginia will have more than enough experience and guys who have shown they can score. Don’t be surprised if Huggins tries to find an experienced big to add to the trio he has now of Okonkwo, Bell, and Wague, as Huggins is building a roster who can rebound and defend.
Projected Roster
G- Kedrian Johnson
G- Kobe Johnson
G- Seth Wilson
G- Erik Stevenson (Transfer)
G- Joe Toussaint (Transfer)
G- Josiah Davis (Incoming Freshman)
F- James Okonkwo
F- Jamel King
F- Mohamed Wague (Transfer)
F- Jimmy Bell Jr. (Transfer)
F- Pat Suemnick (Transfer)
F- Josiah Harris (Incoming Freshman)
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
