WVU looks to get tougher after Pitt loss | News, Sports, Jobs

Pittsburgh’s Jaland Lowe (15) is defended by West Virginia’s Javon Small (left) and Tucker DeVries (right) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

MORGANTOWN — If you asked any member of the WVU men’s basketball team, your gut feeling was that the Mountaineers were ready to face their first challenge of the season.

It only took part of the first half of last week’s 86-62 loss to Pitt to realize that wasn’t the case.

“It was a big surprise, to be honest.” WVU guard Jake Auer said. “I thought we had a great week of practice. We spent a lot of time going over the scouting report. I was ready to come out of Pittsburgh with our heads held high and come back to Morgantown with a win.”

Perhaps the words of former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson said best for the Mountaineers that night: Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.

“We couldn’t give the reaction we wanted” WVU quarterback Javon Small said after the game: “I expect us to respond every time we get punched in the mouth. “I hope we can step back.”

WVU head coach Darian DeVries said there’s a lot to fix, but most of all the Mountaineers need to get tougher.

“When a team comes out and we don’t score well, we have to be able to stay in that game.” said DeVries.

“We have to make sure we get opportunities on the offensive end to keep us in the game while they are scoring goals. “It snowballed on us and we didn’t respond.”

WVU’s poor response came from its starting five, which struggled overall. The starters played a total of 117 minutes and shot 26%.

WVU’s starters made just 10 of the team’s 24 baskets, and both Amani Hansberry and Tucker DeVries fouled out.

“I thought offensively, we just didn’t attack very well.” Darian DeVries said. “We didn’t get very good shot selection from almost everyone.

“We talked to our guys and said that when we play together and stick together at both ends of the floor, we are a good team, but our margin for error is pretty slim.”

That prepares the Mountaineers (2-1) for their return to the Coliseum, where WVU hosts Iona (1-3) today at 7 p.m.

The Gaels have yet to face a Power Four Conference opponent this season, losing to Princeton, Hofstra and Delaware.

Iona will challenge WVU with its full-court pressure defense from end to end, providing a look the Mountaineers have yet to see this season.

“We did not play with a team that would put pressure on us for 40 minutes.” said DeVries. “It will be another opportunity to see where we are from a press perspective. It looks good in practice. How are we going to react and respond to that when we get out on the playing field?”

Initial reaction will depend on the starting lineup that competes against the Panthers.

Can Hansberry and Tucker DeVries bounce back from their worst games of the season? Can Small get the offense moving a little more smoothly?

Bigger question: Can this team start shooting outside shots?

This has been an issue in the last two games, when WVU was shot below 40% by both UMass and Pitt.

“Our offense needs to continue to get better as we see different things.” Darian DeVries said. “We will get better at responding to these things. There are things we’re trying to achieve as an offense and we’ve got to do a better job of achieving those things. “There are some things we are limited in, so we have to make sure we play to our strengths as much as possible.”