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West Virginia basketball: Three keys to victory against Arkansas

By Christopher Mangum

MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA - JANUARY 18: Malik Curry #10 of the West Virginia Mountaineers celebrates a shot with Kedrian Johnson #0 during a college basketball game at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA - JANUARY 18: Malik Curry #10 of the West Virginia Mountaineers celebrates a shot with Kedrian Johnson #0 during a college basketball game at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – JANUARY 18: Taz Sherman #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers takes a jump shot during a college basketball game against the Baylor Bears at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – JANUARY 18: Taz Sherman #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers takes a jump shot during a college basketball game against the Baylor Bears at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

The Mountaineers must shoot the ball more efficiently

Though this seems simple, most fans do not realize just how poor West Virginia’s shooting has been this season.

The Mountaineers are shooting an atrocious 42.31 field goal percentage on the year. This number places them 265th in the country in field goal percentage, far below any teams competing at the top of college basketball right now.

This stat is alarming in the early stages of the season; however, halfway through the 2021-22 season these numbers just won’t cut it. Against Arkansas, the Mountaineers will need to create and take better shots and make them, or this game’s result will be the same as their last four.

Free throws have also been a problem for the Mountaineers. West Virginia ranks 242nd in the nation with an ugly 68.89 free throw percentage. Once again, the Mountaineers’ inability to pick up these free points this season has led to their downfall time and time again.

Saturday, West Virginia will need to change their fortunes in their rivalry with the scoreboard this season by making their free throws and taking better shots. The season quite literally depends on it.

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