Tucker DeVries Gets Off to Impressive Start in West Virginia Debut

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — If nothing else, Tucker DeVries certainly knows how to make a first impression.

It was as if the WVU forward was shot out of a cannon to start his senior season as he led the Mountaineers (1-0) to an 87-59 win over Robert Morris (0-1) in the team’s season opener on Monday evening.

DeVries dominated the first three possessions of the game. He hit on a long-range three-pointer for the Mountaineers’ first bucket of the season. 

Then, DeVries poked away a ball on defense and stormed down the court for a fastbreak dunk.

Another three-pointer on the following possession had DeVries solely responsible for the first eight points of the game.

“It’s really good to come out with a hot start, I hope we do that every time,” DeVries said. “It’s probably not going to happen, but we’re 1-1 and maybe we’ll go 2-2 and go from there.”

“It was fun to see him on this opening night,” WVU coach Darian DeVries, Tucker’s dad, said. “I know he was excited to get out there and play.”

Powered by Tucker DeVries’s opening salvo, the Mountaineers started the game on a dominant 21-0 run.

“I thought our start was about as good as we could have scripted it,” Coach DeVries said. “I thought the first eight to 10 minutes was the way we want it to look.” 

West Virginia’s Tucker DeVries (12) shoots a three-pointer against Robert Morris Monday evening. (Cody Nespor/WVSN)

WVU led 16-0 at the first media timeout and eventually increased the margin to 30-2. An uneventful second half saw the Mountaineers coast to the 28-point victory.

Tucker DeVries finished with a game-high 18 points on 6-13 shooting with four three-pointers. One of those triples was an off-balance heave where DeVries drew a foul and managed to make the shot anyway.

“I think in the first 10 minutes we did exactly what we’re capable of,” DeVries said. “I think there were still bits and pieces after that first 10 minutes that looked great and then there are definitely things we’ll look at and fix.”

Coach DeVries said he tried to stay in coach mode throughout the game and waited until after the buzzer to turn into Tucker’s proud father.

“During the game, it’s just us playing,” Coach DeVries said. “He’s out there doing his thing and I’m just coaching. He had a great start to that game and he’ll be proud of his dunk.”

Tucker DeVries is considered one of the best players in the nation entering the season and his play on Monday certainly backed that up. DeVries and the Mountaineers stay at home to host UMass at 7 p.m. on Friday night. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

For a related story, WVU fans are pleased with Darian DeVries’ Mountaineers in the season opener.