WVU Basketball

WVU F Pat Suemnick Oozing with Confidence Over Past Stretch of Play

Published

4 months ago

January 12, 2024

Kelsie LeRose / WVSN

WVU F Pat Suemnick has been needed at the five-spot while big man Jesse Edwards is out with a fractured right wrist. Suemnick has been taking full advantage of the opportunity, even earning himself his first Division-I career start vs. Kansas State on Tuesday.

“It’s definitely an experience and it’s definitely something I’ve been working for. Hoping to hold on, continue to be productive and prove that I belong there,” Suemnick told the media on Friday.

Suemnick began seeing an increase in minutes starting with the Ohio State game and into Big 12 play. Suemnick, one of WVU’s four returning players from last season, helped get the Mountaineers to overtime against the Buckeyes in Cleveland with two made baskets in the final minute of regulation.

“Every game you go out there just trying to do what you can and make the most out of your opportunities,” Suemnick said. “The ball ended up falling into my hands a couple times against Ohio State. I got that putback dunk, just took a nice bounce. That got things rolling.”

“I’ve really just been capitalizing on the opportunities I’ve been given. I’ve been going out there with the same mindset,” Suemnick added.

Suemnick is averaging 7.7 points and 4.7 rebounds on 73% shooting from the field over his last three games. The junior forward led West Virginia in scoring in their loss to Houston on Jan. 6 with 12 points. WVU interim HC Josh Eilert says that you can tell inside the building that Suemnick’s confidence is growing as a player.

“You can see the confidence for sure. He carries himself differently,” Eilert said. “When they are playing better you can tell that they carry themselves with a lot more moxie and confidence. That’s starting to help his mentality each and every day in practice.”

For now, Suemnick will continue to play the five with Akok Akok until Edwards returns to the floor. Even when the Syracuse transfer does return, Suemnick will be much needed in West Virginia’s frontcourt during Big 12 play.