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Pressure defenses shown, because of player shortage and the missing DeVries

By Bob Madison - For the Chronicle | Jan 17, 2025

WVU guard Javon Small was the leading scorer in Sunday’s game against the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colo. Courtesy photo

MORGANTOWN — Strip away the hyperbole and veneer handed out in a non-stop manner and West Virginia University’s basketball season has been pared down to two main variables. Firstly, can the player-short Mountaineers handle the continual pressure defenses they now see, and secondly, can the team get to the free throw line enough to use its accuracy to win games?

Jaden Stone has never played. Tucker DeVries has been missing with his injury, for what seems like an eternity. Even useful freshman reserve KJ Tenner missed last Sunday’s road win over the University of Colorado.

Opponents have turned to both half-court and full-court presses, to wear down the missing-players Mountaineers. Turnovers have shown themselves in higher numbers.

Tenner and Jonathan Powell are both freshmen. Powell is the team’s third-leading scorer at 9.3 per game.

If Javon Small gets into foul trouble, the Mountaineers would then have fewer and fewer means of moving forward. Small was the team’s leading scorer, as well as the Big 12’s leading scorer, at 19.8 through Sunday’s games.

This weekend’s league opponent is Iowa State, now showing a 4-0 conference record and 14-1 overall mark in games through Sunday. The defensive-minded Cyclones have caused 15.7 turnovers per game.

Amani Hansberry has returned from an injury, but has been used by Coach Darian DeVries in a reserve role since he came back. Hansberry may become a vital instrument against any kind of pressure that is sure to come.

Without DeVries, the roles and minutes of Joseph Yesufu and Jake Auer have become more important. Auer was not playing before DeVries’ forced departure.

With the exception of Tobi Akani, free throw shooting has been exceptional. Getting to the free throw line has become more and more important, especially just getting the most free throws possible. Akani went 0-for-4 on his foul shots, in a much-needed road win on Sunday at Colorado.

The importance of center Eduardo Andre has grown much larger. His scoring will have had to have be at least eight to 14 points a game for WVU to beat Iowa State and, before that, Houston on the road this past Wednesday.

Both Houston and Iowa State had to be favored over the diminished Mountaineer roster.

Rebounding is also critical and the Mountaineers have maintained their equilibrium on the boards.

There were 16 conference games remaining before Houston was seen on Wednesday. Eight of those were at home and eight on the road.

West Virginia’s room for error is no more. The need for near perfection has grown larger. Foul problems can barely be tolerated.

Iowa State will showcase its pressure defenses. West Virginia will try to showcase its trimmed-to-the-leanest roster.