West Virginia Mountaineers – #7 Big 12 college basketball power rankings

West Virginia

Coach: Bob Huggins (5 seasons at West Virginia 120-59) Overall 710-267, 30 years

2011-12: Record 19-14 overall, 9-9 in Big East (8th)

Starters Returning (2) Jabarie Hinds, Deriz Killcli,

Preseason Tournament: Old Spice Classic

Top Non-Conference Games: at Gonzaga, vs. Marshall, vs. Virginia Tech, vs. Michigan, at Purdue

Transfer Out: Tommie McCune (Northern Illinois), Pat Forsythe (Akron)

Transfer In: Matt Humpfrey (West Virginia-eligible right away)

Sat Out: Aaric Murray (La Salle), Juwan Staten (Dayton)

Yes, the Mountaineers are no longer in the Big East and are now in the Big 12. West Virginia and head coach Bob Huggins made the NCAA tournament for the 5 straight year but where blow out in the 1st round. West Virginia losses their top 2 players from last season but they bring in 3 very highly transfers. 2 of those players sat out last season. They all return a very strong sophomore class.

The Mountaineers should have one of top frontcourts in the Big 12. At center will be Denriz Killcli (10.7 ppg). Killcli is the retuning rebounder and scorer for West Virginia. He is a very physical center that has a ton of post moves. Joining him in the frontcourt is La Salle transfer Aaric Murray. In his last season at La Salle he averaged 15.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. Murray is also a pretty solid outside shooter. The Mountaineers will have solid depth here. Providing that depth will be Kevin Noreen (2.2 ppg), Keaton Miles (1.4 ppg), Dominique Rutledge (2 ppg), and Volodymyr Gerun. All these players are better rebounders than scores

Leading the way for the Mountaineers in the backcourt is point guard Jabarie Hinds (7.4 ppg). Hinds led West Virginia last season in assists as a freshman. Look for him to be more consistent this season. Joining him in the backcourt will be Dayton transfer Juwan Staten. Staten averaged 8.5 ppg as a freshman at Dayton. Staten excels at attacking the rim with his athletic ability. Boston College transfer Matt Humphrey will likely start at the 3 spot for WVU. He averaged 10.3 points last season at BC. He will be by far West Virginia best outside shooter. West Virginia really doesn’t have many three point shooters. WVU has solid depth here led by Gary Browne (6.5 ppg) and Aaron Brown (4.2 ppg). Also providing depth is freshman Terry Henderson and Eron Harris.

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