Morgantown, West Virginia – Following the 2021-2022 season, a season where the West Virginia Mountaineers finished 16-17 overall and dead last at 4-14 in the Big 12 Conference, Bob Huggins has been on a mission to “fix it.”
Although Huggins missed out on former Texas guard Courtney Ramey, who chose to finish his career with the Arizona Wildcats, the Mountaineers have managed to put together one of the very best group of transfers in the entire nation.
Landing five star transfer guards Erik Stevenson and Joe Toussaint was only the beginning for Huggins’ roster transformation. Stevenson and Toussaint give the Mountaineers experience and toughness to go with Kedrian Johnson in the backcourt, but the real focus was improving the interior play.
Tre Mitchell, a proven Big 12 talent, is perhaps the most important player on West Virginia’s roster. He’s shown that he’s capable of averaging a double-double and gives the team a true post player who is also able to step out and make perimeter shots consistently.
Joining Mitchell in the front court is Emmitt Matthews, Jr., who has grown tremendously in his year away from the team. Matthews averaged 11.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game at Washington last season and is perhaps one of the most athletic players to play for West Virginia in a long time.
In addition to the players already mentioned, newcomers Pat Suemnick, Mohamed Wague and Jimmy Bell have all reportedly been very impressive in early team practices.
Although it’s very early, the Mountaineers already appear to be more cohesive than last season and have the pieces in place to really surprise people in the Big 12 Conference.
According to Erik Stevenson, who will be playing in his 5th season with three teams, he thinks this team can be “very special.”
In response to Emmitt Matthews saying that “loves this team”, Stevenson said, “Been trying to say this! Special group.”
Been trying to say this! Special group..💙💛 https://t.co/509OKrWIRJ
— Erik Stevenson (@ej_stevenson5) June 13, 2022
