The West Virginia men’s basketball team faces early adversity as injuries pile up, leaving the Mountaineers shorthanded during a key stretch of the season.
Despite defeating Mercyhurst on Sunday afternoon, WVU struggled to play its cleanest basketball without several key players. Tucker DeVries, sidelined with an upper-body injury, was among the notable absences. Oklahoma State transfer and leading scorer Javon Small also sat out, while Amani Hansberry, the team’s leading rebounder, left the game within the first 20 seconds due to an injury.
Head coach Darian DeVries emphasized a “next man up” mentality as the team works to adapt. However, updates on the three injured players have been sparse.
“It’s a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity for other guys to step up,” DeVries said.
The Mountaineers have a break before opening Big 12 play on the road at Kansas. The extended time off could prove crucial in allowing the squad to rest and recover ahead of a tough conference slate.
