The WVU basketball team is on a roll heading into 2018. As a nice boost this past week, two big things occurred for a player and a coach.
First, Daxter Miles joined the 1,000-point club in the win against Coppin State. It came on a 3-pointer as the Bald Eagles fell to the Mountaineers at the WVU Coliseum. Miles is a senior and has been in this program for the past three years. Many people outside of West Virginia may remember him for his bold prediction against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament a few years ago.
It’s safe to say he has matured since his freshman season. Miles is a full-fledged leader on this team who has a responsibility to lead the Mountaineers on both offense and defense. His output to reach the 1,000-point mark wasn’t necessarily a goal for Miles. The real goal is to win as many games as possible. The real thing, though, is that it’s because of Miles’ ability to score that the Mountaineers have a chance to win each time they step on the court.
In a story by Michael Carvelli of the Gazette-Mail, Miles’ true colors came out. He isn’t defined by what he said prior to that game against Kentucky, where Miles and the Mountaineers were truly humbled. Miles has learned from that moment and is speaking for his younger teammates in all of his interviews.
"“I’m just glad we got the win. I just want to be thought of as a winner,” Miles said. “I don’t care if I score two points or 50 points, I just want to be known as a winner.”"
This season, Miles will be known as a winner. There will be nothing sweeter for him and fellow senior Jevon Carter than to finish this season as Big 12 Champions and eventually national champions.
If the WVU basketball team can get to that point, head coach Bob Huggins will reach more milestones along the way. This week, he passed Jim Phelan for seventh all-time on the coaches’ win list.
Because the Mountaineers showed the grit and determination to beat Oklahoma State on the road, Huggins now has 831 career victories. It’s an amazing feat and a testament to the great players that Huggins has brought in and coached up to be winners.
Next: All-time WVU basketball team
Huggins is a winner and he wants his players to embody that same mentality. Daxter Miles is a true Huggins player and more players need to see the example that he leads each time he steps on the court, and each time he speaks to the media.