WVU basketball: James Bolden continues to have nice season
The WVU basketball team may be seeing a lot more of James Bolden in the final 10 games of the regular season.
So far, Bolden has played in all 21 games but hasn’t made a start. Bolden is averaging 17.3 minutes per game so far, and that may rise for the rest of the season.
The WVU basketball team needs some sort of boost and Bolden provides a unique spark offensively. He is strong from the outside and drives to the hoop with authority.
Bolden’s stats look nice this season as he is averaging 9.8 points per game, which is fourth best on the team. Most of his impact is provided from behind-the-arc. Bolden has the highest 3-point shooting percentage on the WVU basketball team at .427. Bolden is 47 of 110 on the deep ball and he may be asked to shoot more soon.
It’s been reported that Daxter Miles may be out for the next game against Iowa State. If that happens to be the case, Bolden will fill into that starting role at guard. His defense has improved this season and Bolden has 22 steals, which is third on the team.
More from Hail WV
- Every West Virginia potential March Madness venue in 2023 NCAA Tournament
- West Virginia March Madness Schedule: When do the Mountaineers play next? (Updated March 12)
- West Virginia vs. Kansas prediction and odds for Saturday, February 25 (Take Mountaineers as underdogs)
- WVU Football Recruiting: Mountaineers make Malik Hartford’s short list
- Previewing WVU basketball against Oklahoma State
As the WVU basketball team searches for a way to maintain big leads in the second half, having Bolden out there more could increase those chances that the Mountaineers can sustain runs and not go seven or more minutes without a field goal.
Bolden is a sophomore who hails from Covington, Kentucky which is right outside Cincinnati. Obviously a hotbed for hoops and a place that is close to Huggins’ heart, Cincinnati produces a wealth of basketball talent and Huggins knows when to nab a talented player from the southern part of the Buckeye State.
Bolden played a good amount as a freshman and next season he will probably be asked to start most games as Miles and Jevon Carter will be moving on. To get a taste of what Bolden can do with a starting role, Huggins may decide to give him more playing time against Iowa State.
Next: Is West Virginia a basketball or football school?
Even as the WVU basketball team likes to look inside for points, Bolden gives it the best chance to extend leads with a strong dose of 3-point attempts.