Takeaways: Will WVU Basketball Rebounding, Free Throws Improve?

WVU basketball is back with new faces, a new head coach and a 1-0 record after defeating Mount St. Mary’s 70-54.

Here is what stood out from the game.

Rebounding: Is There More Than Meets The Eye?

WVU was out-rebounded 38-29 and was down 25-11 in the category at halftime. While it may look like WVU was dominated on the boards, head coach Ross Hodge argues it was because the Mountaineers turned Mount St. Mary’s over effectively.

“I will say the, the, the raw numbers of the rebounding is a little distorted because we turned them over so much,” Hodge said in the postgame press conference. “And so you don’t have a chance to rebound the ball when you’re turning ’em over. And then also when you’re shooting free throws at not a super high rate… they’re in pretty good position to get a defensive rebound.”

Hodge also noted senior forward Harlan Obioha and freshman forward DJ Thomas found themselves in foul trouble in the second half.

WVU shot 35 free throws on the day and forced 20 turnovers. Mount St. Mary’s shot 46 times from the floor while WVU had 48 shots.

Seven of Mount’s rebounds were off WVU missed free throws.

Free Throws

WVU left 12 points on the board by going 23-35 from the foul line. While it was a noticeable issue in the game, even garnering reactions from WVU fans, Hodge said he doesn’t think the free throw struggles will last.

“The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior… I mean, Jasper’s a 78% free throw shooter. Eaglestaff’s a 75% free throw shooter. Harlan’s been working really hard. Amir’s a good free throw shooter. Morris is a good free throw shooter. So I think it’s just, those guys will settle in,” Hodge said.

Fast Break, Points Off Turnovers

WVU finished the game with 25 points off turnovers and 19 off fast breaks. Hodge called those numbers the difference in the game and the reason he emphasizes defense with his teams.

“I thought it was a difference in the game. we were able to get some deflections, get some run outs,  get a couple shots in transition, get some easy ones. And, again, that’s why we hang our hat on that end of the floor,” Hodge said.

Scoring Depth, or Lack Thereof

Senior guard Jasper Floyd led all scorers with a career-high 25 points. Senior guard Honor Huff added 15 and senior forward Brenen Lorient had a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Besides those three, the rest of the team’s scoring left more to be desired.

Namely, senior guard Treysen Eaglestaff had a rough night with one point on o-3 shooting from the floor.

WVU basketball was not at full strength in the game, as fifth-year guard Chance Moore is out for the first five games due to the NCAA’s new transfer rules and senior forward Jackson Fields is recovering from an injury.

Obioha and Thomas’ foul trouble limited their minutes, which can help explain the lower scoring. In Eaglestaff’s case, Hodge remains confident in him while he adjusts to the new system.

“This isn’t like my first time with coaching really good shooters that maybe it will take a little while to really get their legs under them because of the effort that we’re asking them to exert on the defensive end of the floor,” Hodge said. “And you’re asking them to play harder than he’s ever had to play on that end of the floor.

WVU will take the court again at 7 p.m. Thursday when it hosts Campbell at the Hope Coliseum.

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