It’s once again a busy time in the university city. Our news and notes read this week will consist of WVU soccer, expansion, Big East first team basketball selections, and recruiting. If we can dig up anything else, you’ll see it here. Let’s go.
Basketball
West Virginia University forward Kevin Jones was named to the 2011-12 First Team All Big East List. Jones has been steady for that last three seasons as a scorer and rebounder. The 6-8 senior forward averaged 13.1 points and led the Mountaineers in rebounding with a 7.5 mark. Entering the 2011-12 season, Jones leads all league players with 612 points and 364 rebounds in conference games.
Here is the rest of the First Team list:
2011-12 Preseason All-Big East First Team
Kevin Jones, West Virginia, F, Sr., 6-8, 260, Mount Vernon, N.Y.
Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh (Player of the Year), G, Sr., 6-2, 190, Scotch Plains, N.J.
Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut, G/F, So., 6-5, 185, Norcross, Ga.
Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette, G, Sr., 6-2, 215, Raleigh, N.C.
Tim Abromaitis, Notre Dame, F, Gr., 6-8, 235, Unionville, Conn.
Kris Joseph, Syracuse, F, Sr., 6-7, 210, Montreal, Quebec
Connecticut and Syracuse are the co-favorites to win the 2011-12 Big East men’s basketball regular-season crown in the Big East Preseason Coaches Poll. The Mountaineers came in at 7th in the preseason poll. Considering the youth WVU has, that’s a respectable position.
Here is a look at the poll:
1. Connecticut (7)
Syracuse (5)
3. Louisville (3)
4. Pittsburgh (1)
5. Cincinnati
6. Marquette
7. West Virginia
8. Villanova
9. Notre Dame
10. Georgetown
11. Rutgers
12. St. John’s
13. Seton Hall
14. USF
15. Providence
16. DePaul
Rifle
The WVU men’s rifle team is now #2 in the new College Rifle Coaches Association poll. WVU won it’s opening two games on the road. University of Kentucky hasn’t played yet, and remain #1.
Women’s Soccer
The West Virginia University women’s soccer team moved up to No. 17 in this week’s Soccer America Top 25 and checked in at No. 18 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll.
Men’s Soccer
West Virginia men’s soccer team handed No. 1 Connecticut its first loss of the season with a 2-0 shutout win on Tuesday evening at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. The Mountaineers ( 8-5-1, 4-2-0) dominated the offensive and defensive zone in the final 60 minutes of the match and held Connecticut (13-1-1, 4-1-1) to just five shots on-goal, including only one in the second half.
Football Recruiting
Reports are all over the map on the possible commit of Penn Hills wide receiver Chaz Whittaker. I am confident in talking about this with people in the know, that this is not the case, at least not yet… stay tuned.
Nate Smith did commit yesterday and is now the 19th commit to the 2012 class. Welcome Nate.
Expansion
As much as we would like to tell you what’s going on, where WVU is headed and when, we can’t. At this point I’m not sure anyone can. We’ve all heard the reports of hours, weeks, and months. The only thing we really know is President Clements and Director Luck will have us in the best position possible moving forward, and in the future.
Mountaineer Football
WVU hits the road this Friday night to take on the Orange of Syracuse. The Mountaineers look to avenge a loss last season at home. WVU enters at 5-1, while Syracuse enters 4-2. ESPN will have the game at 8pm.