Emmitt Matthews Jr. is 'Invaluable' for WVU Despite Recent Offensive Struggles

Emmitt Matthews Jr. has been going through it lately offensively. But everyone does. Erik Stevenson went through a long streak of cold shooting and has officially snapped out of it with 31, 17, and 34-point outings in the last three games.

Matthews has never been a high volume shooter, so you can't use the 30-point mark as a barometer for declaring the senior out of his slump. Once he does come back around on the offensive end, it will create more space for guys like Stevenson to operate.

In the 10 non-conference games before Big 12 play began, Matthews averaged 10.8 points while shooting 37/78 (47%) from the field and 15/31 (48%) from three-point range. In 10 conference matchups plus the Auburn game, those numbers have dropped significantly as he has shot 30/75 (40%) from the floor and 5/28 (17%) from deep, averaging 7.5 points.

"Emmitt just hasn't shot the ball very well," said WVU head coach Bob Huggins. "We've always needed him on the floor because he can defend multiple positions and because he gives us another rebounder on the floor. He's very unselfish. He passes the ball and his teammates love him. He's always been valuable that way. He shot the ball so much better early than what he's shooting the ball now. He's just struggling to shoot it a little bit right now. We need to get in the gym and get things worked out. But if he goes back to making shots the way he made shots earlier in the year, I mean, he's invaluable with everything he can do. He's so multi-talented."

As Huggins mentioned, despite the cold shooting, Matthews' presence on the floor is extremely valuable. His rebounding hasn't dropped off, averaging 3.6 boards per game and will, on occasion, notch a five rebound game. In addition to that, he's typically guarding the opposition's best player. Matthews' value goes far beyond his ability to score the ball and it shows on a nightly basis. His play down the stretch will be key for West Virginia to make a run at the NCAA Tournament.

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