On Campus
West Virginia
By Anthony Jaskulski

In coach Bob Huggins' illustrious 27 years as a head basketball coach, he has been through plenty of high-profile squads.

He has put players in the NBA, raced to four C-USA championships at Cincinnati and had over a dozen runs in the NCAA Tournament.

Despite the accolades, all of those stats and numbers may take a backseat to the potential that exists this season at West Virginia.

With sophomore Devin Ebanks, a do-it-all forward with a 10 point, eight rebound per game average a year ago, leading the way, the Mountaineers and their four returning starters have the potential to do what no WVU basketball squad has done before: win a national championship.

"I think we have a pretty good team this year, and I'm excited about it," Ebanks said in July at the Lebron James Skills Academy in Akron. "We have the potential to be something special, but that's all it is, potential. We have to go out and prove that it's not all hype."

Leading scorer from a year ago and Ebanks counterpart in the frontcourt, Da'Sean Butler, also returns to make this team as complete as it gets inside the paint.

Butler averaged 17.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game a year ago.

Compliments Kevin Jones, Wellington Smith, Cam Thoroughman and John Flowers round out the frontcourt for the Mountaineers, and give this team more than enough depth between the paint.

"We have a lot coming back and there is plenty of experience on this team," said Ebanks. "There is a lot we need to improve on from last year and it all starts with our mindsets, and how we go about this season."

The lone starter missing, guard Alex Ruoff, leaves somewhat of a question mark at shooting guard, though Darryl Bryant and newcomers Dalton Pepper and Casey Mitchell, the Junior College National Player of the Year last year, will more than likely fill that void with confidence and experience. In addition a healthy Joe Mazzula returns at the point.

The Mountaineers are out to avenge a 68-60 loss to Dayton in an 11 over 6 upset in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, something that Ebanks says will not happen again.

"They (Dayton) brought it to us and showed they were the better team that day," Ebanks said. "We are a different team from last year, and we are experienced enough to not let silly mistakes get in the way of what we want to accomplish."

West Virginia was picked second in the preseason Big East poll, and received five votes as the top contender in the league.

The Mountaineers will be facing a tough non-conference schedule with road trips to Purdue, Cleveland State and Long Beach State, and a home tussle with Ohio State, as well as double dates in the Big East conference with Villanova, Seton Hall and Pittsburgh.

"There are a lot of obstacles in front of us, but if you want to be the best, you have the beat the best, and that's what we're setting out to do," Ebanks said.

The Mountaineers open their season Nov. 15 in a home game vs. Loyola (Maryland).

Inside the Coliseum

Head Coach: Bob Huggins, 2nd Season (49-23)
2008-09: 21-10, 10-8
Post-season: NCAA 1st Round

Probable Starters: o   Joe Mazzulla, SR, PG 6'2" - Suffered season ending shoulder injury vs. Davidson early in December last season
o   Casey Mitchell, JR, SG 6'4" - Named 2009 National Junior College Athletic Association Player of the Year
o   Da'Sean Butler, SR, SF 6'7" - Second-team All-Big East and team MVP last season
o   Devin Ebanks, SO, PF 6'9" - Big East All-Rookie team last season; started in 34 of 35 games
o   Wellington Smith, SR, C 6'7" - Started all 35 games last season, averaging 5.2 points per game

Key Stretch: Feb 22 - March 6
at Uconn
CINCINNATI
GEORGETOWN
at Villanova

West Virginia closes out the season with four tough conference games. If they live up to their preseason hype, this stretch could set them up for a deep postseason run.