West Virginia Mountaineers
With less than 7 weeks from us having a bracket in our hands, let us begin to countdown and break down this years March and the madness behind it.
Every day we will look at a different angle of the beauty that is the bracket. From top seeds to bubble teams and every team in between. Which styles of play can be a problem for teams and which teams are on my radar for wearing the glass slipper.
With still 7 weeks to go standings can and will change.
March Madness, West Virginia Mountaineers
- West Virginia Mountaineers
Currently the 9 seed in the Midwest bracket, the West Virginia Mountaineers are 13-6 overall sitting right at 500 in the Big 12 at 4-4. Also 4-4 against quad 1 opponents, 1-2 against quad 2 and a perfect 8-0 against quads 3 and 4.
The latter of that statement is huge for the Mountaineers to get into this tournament, beating teams they are supposed to beat, quote unquote. They have fallen in the last two games against Arizona State and Kansas State who are both below the bubble.
However West Virginia has great wins against Gonzaga, Arizona, Iowa State, and on the road upsetting Kansas. They still have some big time matchup opportunities to strengthen their case including a game tonight against Houston.
This team wins games on the defensive side of the ball ranking 20th in defensive efficiency only allowing 0.92 points per possession. They are 27th ranked in opposing 3 point field goal percentage holding opponents to around 29% from deep.
Once they run you off the line, they are even better ranked at 21st holding opponents to 44% from the field inside the arc. Ranked 13th in effective field goal percentage against, teams are averaging 43% of total shots.
Offense
They have one of the slowest paces in the league and they make free throws at a high percentage. Ranked 24th in free throw percentage making around 79%.
They shoot a lot of threes, about 50% of their shots are from deep and they are above average, yet not great at shooting them.
Only two players average double digits, Javon small and Tucker DeVries. However three other players average over 8 points a game and 2 averaging at least 5.
The lack of offense is concerning come March, however it all depends on matchups. Either way look for West Virginia to run into a team who can flat out score to knock them out of the tournament early.
Sets at a Glance
West Virginia just does not quit, every play is 100% and in your face. High pick and pops with a big ducking in on the block and two shooters on each wing flaring to the corner on drives. Fundamental basketball at it’s finest.
With their stifling defense, the go on small runs which gives them advantages. The constant pressure they apply on the defensive side eventually wears opponents down.
Javon Small hits big shot for them late in games, however, he just seems to always make the right play, pass or shoot.
Final Thoughts and Projection
Two things that the Mountaineers have that go a long way in March, great point guard play and never quitting.
West Virginia can go down early and has the defense to come back, I believe. They go on 6-12 point runs with regularity and their point guard Javon Small in definitely one of the best in the business.
The only downside is how much they count on one player. We have seen it in March before when a team relies on one player and he has even an average game, the team loses.
They will need Small to be great for any kind of run in the bracket, and I mean GREAT. Look for this team to maybe hit the second round, yet, I do not see them in the second weekend at all. I will look to bet this team round one as dogs taking as many points as I can get.
Expecting them to cover, yet not win. All in all this is a great season and story for a West Virginia Mountaineers program finding their footing after losing their legendary coach Bob Huggins unexpectedly just a year and a half ago.
Rowan Donaghey, Sports Reporter and Betting Analyst for Stare Down Sports. You can follow him on X via @RowanDonaghey
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