Just one week following the official end to the 2022-2023 NCAA men’s basketball season, and the offseason has already been in full swing for head coach Bob Huggins and company.
The Mountaineers have picked up two transfers from the portal since the beginning of March, and will be getting what is basically a new transfer as Jose Perez’s eligibility will kick in for next season. West Virginia also got the first of three decisions out of their seniors who have one year of eligibility remaining. That was with Joe Toussaint returning to the Mountaineers.
That leaves the question, where does WVU go from here?
As of now, West Virginia has only had two leave for the transfer portal — Josiah Davis and Jamel King. The pair played a total of 39 minutes for WVU last season, making it make sense why they entered the portal.
So far though, everyone else is returning.
The portal has so far been kind to the Mountainers adding Kerr Kriisa and Omar Silverio. Krissa projects to be the point guard for the Mountaineers as he averaged 9.9 points per game, 5.1 assists per game, and 2.4 rebounds per game in 35 games this season with Arizona.
Silverio was former teammates with Perez, and averaged veraged 10.9 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game at Hofstra in the 2021-2022 season.
Guards: Kobe Johnson, Joe Toussaint, Seth Wilson, Kerr Kriisa*, Omar Silverio*, Jose Perez*
Forwards: Josiah Harris, James Okonkwo, Pat Suemnick, Mohamed Wague
** is an incoming transfer
Based on the roster outlook, if West Virginia returns both Jimmy Bell and Tre Mitchell, the Mountaineers would be at 12 spots for 13 scholarship spots. This means they will have one place to add. Obviously if either Bell or Mitchell decide to move on, you are going to look to add a forward to replace them, but with how the roster is constructed the Mountaineers will probably go after a big either way.
West Virginia struggled to consistently score inside with their bigs this season. While Okonkwo and Wague flashed at times, Bell struggled to score the ball deep inside especially towards the last month of the season. Over the final eight games of the season, Bell recorded zero points five times, and scored no more than four points in any game.
Getting a big who can reliably score and defend should be a priority this offseason not matter if Bell decides to return or not. You have four senior guards as well as Johnson and Wilson (if they both return) who will be in the program for their third year. In the front court you have Okonkwo who had somewhat of a breakout season last year, Wague who was inconsistent a year ago, and then Bell. At the four position you have Mitchell — who would probably be the most talented player if he returns — and you have Suemnick who began to see action over the final two months of the season. You also have Harris who brings size and talent and the ability to be a three or a four if needed.
Depending on the decisions of Bell and Mitchell, the Mountaineers will more than likely go get another forward. If you get Bell and Mitchell back then you bring back some continuity and hope to develop the front court over the summer, while bringing back tons of college experience in the back court.
