2009-2010 West Virginia Predictions
2008-09 Record: (23-12, 10-8 Big East)
Coach: Bob Huggins (3rd year, 49-23 at West Virginia)
Assistants: Larry Harrison, Billy Hahn, Erik Martin
Ret. Starters/Lost: 4/1

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Overview: Could this be the year for Huggy Bear and his Mountaineers to win the Big East and make a run at the Final Four? West Virginia has not been to a Final Four since 1959, when they had a guard named Jerry West and have never won a Big East regular-season or tournament title since joining the league in 1991. This year, they have four returing starters including senior Da’Sean Butler (6-7, 225) and sophomore Devin Ebanks (6-9, 210). Butler led the team with 17.3ppg, including 43 against Villanova. Ebanks averaged 10.5ppg and 7.8rpg, earning All-Big East Rookie team honors. The Mountaineers have to replace wing guard Alex Ruoff, but they bring in Casey Mitchell (6-4, 220), the National Junior College Athletic Association Player of the Year at Chipola (Fla.). At the other forward spot, Wellington Smith (5.2ppg, 3.8rpg) is the blue-collar worker, who defends the post at 6-7, 245, Running the point will be Darryl “Truck” Bryant (6-2, 200 lbs), a stocky sophomore who averaged 9.8 ppg and 2.7 apg, but shot just 39.6% from the field. Bryant and junior Joe Mazulla (6-2, 200) had some off-the-court issues last summer, but should be ready to go. Mazulla is a key reserve and a solid shooter. He played in just seven games last year and was given a medical redshirt. Freshman Danny Jennings (6-8, 265) adds some beef from the bench.

Outlook: Huggins doesn’t recruit or coach angels, but he’ll need Mazulla and Bryant to stay on their best behavior. Any more indiscretions could foul up one of the best teams in West Virginia history.

This Big East conference prediction is courtesy of the ATS Sports Blog. If you are looking for winning college basketball betting picks be sure to choose ATS Consultants this year, A featured sports handicapping service on Touthouse.com

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