Bock: Season Predictions for West Virginia Basketball, Opportunity to Bounce Back

West Virginia will tipoff the 2022-23 season on Monday night as they host Mount St. Mary’s. The Mountaineers will look to bounce back after a 16-17 record and last place finish in the Big 12 last season.

Bob Huggins and his coaching staff have had a good offseason bringing in productive transfers from the portal and JUCO ball. Let’s take a look at my predictions for the upcoming season.

Team MVP / Erik Stevenson

Honorable Mention: Emmitt Matthews, Joe Toussaint, Tre Mitchell

X-Factor / Joe Toussaint

Honorable Mention: Mohamed Wague, Jose Perez (when eligible), Jimmy Bell

Best Underclassman / Kobe Johnson

Honorable Mention: Mohamed Wague, Josiah Harris, Seth Wilson

Best Shooter / Erik Stevenson

Honorable Mention: Emmitt Matthews, Tre Mitchell, Josiah Harris

Glue Guy / Kedrian Johnson

Honorable Mention: Pat Suemnick, Seth Wilson, Jimmy Bell

Stat Leaders:

• Points / Erik Stevenson
• Rebounds / Tre Mitchell
• Assists / Joe Toussaint
• Steals / Kedrian Johnson
• Blocks / Mohamed Wague

Projected Record: 18 wins

Ceiling: Round of 32

Floor: NIT

West Virginia enters the season as one of the most confusing teams as the coaching staff welcomes 10 new players from all different levels of basketball. The incoming players have shown toughness and good work ethic throughout the offseason and preseason, which needed to be fixed. Last season West Virginia struggled at rebounding, inside scoring and defense. WVU has an opportunity to improve those categories and compete in the Big 12 Conference.

West Virginia and Mount St. Mary’s will tipoff at 7 p.m. on Monday inside the WVU Coliseum. The broadcast will be on ESPN+.