WVU Basketball's Offseason Checklist
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The 2022-23 season has come to a close for the West Virginia Mountaineers following an early exit in the NCAA Tournament. How do they make it back to the dance next year? And how do they dance a little longer?
Here are five things that must happen this offseason.
1. Huggins returns
When asked about his future, Bob Huggins didn't necessarily commit to coming back although it appears that is the case considering the way he answered the question. He doesn't want to give up coaching and let the program crumble if the timing is not right. He wants to make sure that it's in good shape for the next guy. Plus, I believe Huggins still has one more deep tournament run in him.
2. Tre Mitchell, Joe Toussaint return
WVU is already losing three starters in Erik Stevenson, Emmitt Matthews Jr., and Kedrian Johnson. They could potentially lose all five if Mitchell and Jimmy Bell Jr. decide to move on. Bell's return would certainly be welcomed, but they really need Mitchell and Toussaint back. Mitchell can take his offensive game to another level while Toussaint can somewhat fill the role Keddy played this past season, even if it's still off the bench. He's a scrappy defensive-minded guard that has the ability to score.
3. True point guard
West Virginia turned it over 13 times per game this season and had several games where they threw it away 20+ times. Kedrian Johnson took a big step offensively this year, but he still averaged 2.2 turnovers per game. That's not really his fault, though. He's not a true point guard. He's more of an off-ball guard that had to run the point due to the team's personnel.
But it goes much deeper than turnovers. West Virginia finished the year 7th in the Big 12 Conference in assist/turnover ratio (1.00). There were too many games where the offense would stall out and ball movement was non-existent. I know, some fans would say this has always been the case under a Huggins-led team, but this season it was very evident. They've got to go into the portal and find someone who can run the offense and feed the bigs in the post without throwing it over their head or bouncing it off their foot.
4. Replace Erik Stevenson's scoring
If you get lucky, you could maybe kill two birds with one stone if this guy can also run the point. But it may be more beneficial for WVU to get a wing that can make contested shots, which not only helps replaces Stevenson's offensive production but replaces Emmitt Matthews' spot on the floor. If I'm Bob Huggins I can't just rely on Seth Wilson to take a major step this offseason. I need some insurance in case that doesn't happen.
5. Get a bouncy glass-eater
Jimmy Bell's strength is his strength. For James Okonkwo and Mohamed Wague, it's their ability to block shots and at times, defend really well. What West Virginia currently lacks is someone who has a knack for pulling down rebounds. As a team, WVU finished 8th in the Big 12 averaging just 33.8 rebounds per game. Why a bouncy guy, though? Well, they finished fourth in offensive rebounds but struggled to get second-chance points. An athletic big can change that and it gives them a different body type from what they already have.
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