West Virginia’s first exhibition under Ross Hodge’s second year gave the Mountaineers a little bit of everything, and the final result was a 90-81 overtime loss to Maryland.
The good news for WVU came early. The Mountaineers looked sharp in the first half and showed plenty of promising pieces in a competitive matchup against a Power Four opponent.
The second half told a different story, and that swing was part of the point of the exercise. This was the kind of test Hodge and his group wanted before the grind ahead, because it forced them to deal with pressure, mistakes and a little adversity before the games start to count.
There’s no reason to read too much into a single exhibition, especially this one. WVU is still a work in progress, and there were positives to take away along with some clear issues to clean up, most notably defensive rebounding. With more exhibitions still ahead, there will be time to sort through what worked and what didn’t.
One of the biggest takeaways came from simply watching him on the floor in a real game setting. He looked every bit the part of a major presence, moving well for his size and already rebounding at a strong rate.
The frame is there for him to absorb contact and hold up defensively, though his body positioning still needs work. Once the game slows down for him and he gets more reps, he should become a problem for opposing teams.
Sadler brought a different kind of burst. He was blazing quick with the ball, able to beat defenders in an instant, and he also recovered well after overcommitting defensively.
There’s still room for growth as an on-ball defender, and his aggressiveness can sometimes get him into foul trouble when he gets too handsy. Offensively, though, he already looks comfortable in the system and showed a real feel for finding teammates, especially on cuts to the basket.
The Butler transfer was the hottest hand on the floor in the opening half, going 4/6 from the field and 4/5 from three. His rhythm cooled off after halftime, but he still delivered when WVU needed it most by knocking down a late three.
He’s not the same type of player as Honor Huff, but the similarity is obvious: when he gets rolling, the shots can come in bunches. That should make him an interesting watch once Big 12 play arrives in the Coliseum.
In Other News...
WVU Put Up 45 But These Grades Exposed Bigger Problems
West Virginias offense gave plenty to like through seven games, and the Pro Football Focus grades back up what showed up on Saturdays. DJ Epps and Ryan Ward were among the brighter spots on that side of the ball, giving the Mountaineers some needed production as the season moved into its second half. Even with the offense carrying more of the load, the grades painted a broader picture of a team still trying to sort out where its strengths really are.
The deeper issue was on the other side of the ball, where the offensive line and several defensive groups drew lower marks. Injuries on the defensive line have only added to the strain, while linebackers and safeties have had a hard time holding up in pass coverage. For West Virginia, the concern is not just about one bad showing, but whether those breakdowns are becoming a pattern the staff has to solve quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Hawkins Jr. Just Answered WVUs Biggest Offensive Question
Michael Hawkins Jr. gave West Virginia the kind of offensive lift it had been searching for against Cincinnati, and he did it in a way that showed both control and explosion. He completed 25 of 33 passes for 464 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, then added 77 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground as Rich Rodriguez shifted the offense toward the passing game and let the Mountaineers attack vertically.
Prince Strachan was a big part of that change in rhythm, with deep completions helping stretch the field and set up scoring chances. West Virginia still had to finish the job the hard way, and the defense delivered a crucial late stop, including snuffing out a fake punt, to help lock in a win that felt like more than just one good night for the offense. [Read more 🡒]
West Virginia Finally Broke Through But One Concern Isn't Going Away
West Virginia finally snapped its skid Saturday with a 45-42 win over Cincinnati, a result that gave the Mountaineers their first victory since Sept. 19 and pushed them to 4-3. It was the kind of needed response that can steady a team in midseason, especially with Mike Hawkins Jr. delivering one of the biggest passing days of the year and DJ Epps doing major damage downfield.
Mike Hawkins Jr. was nearly unstoppable, completing 25 of 33 passes for 464 yards and three touchdowns while adding 77 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. Epps was just as central to the offense, catching eight passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns, but even in a breakthrough win, the way West Virginia won made clear there is still plenty to sort out moving forward. [Read more 🡒]