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3 things we learned from the West Virginia men’s basketball scrimmage vs. Charleston

By Troy Van Camp

Mar 2, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers students pause during a foul shot during the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Mar 2, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers students pause during a foul shot during the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images / Ben Queen-Imagn Images
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A new-look West Virginia men's basketball team took the floor for an exhibition game on Friday night against a Division 2 in-state opponent in the University of Charleston . Under new head coach Darian DeVries, WVU returns just one player from last year’s team, Ofri Naveh, a limited participant in 2023-24. 

The Mountaineers walked away with a 94-61 win and impressed in several areas during the 9matchup with the Golden Eagles. Here are 3 things we learned from the exhibition clash.

1. Tucker DeVries and Javon Small are capable of carrying the load offensively 

Sure, we had an assumption of this already -- but watching them score points while wearing a West Virginia uniform helps to solidify those pre-season expectations. Tucker DeVries, the 2-time Missouri Valley Conference player of the year, put up 18 points on 7-13 shooting in 23 minutes played. DeVries has a knack for demanding attention from the defense, getting to his spots, and scoring the basketball. DeVries will undoubtedly be a fixture within the WVU offense this year. He has the skill set to be an all-league performer when all is said and done at the end of the season.

Oklahoma State transfer Javon Small served as the Mountaineers' starting point guard. After averaging 15 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game at Oklahoma State, Small will be looking to bring consistency to West Virginia’s offense this season. He certainly looked the part on Friday night as he put up 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in 19 minutes. While West Virginia has a team made up of almost all transfers, DeVries and Small come in with the most polished offensive skill sets and will need to be focal points of the offense if WVU wants to be successful.

2. True Freshman Jonathan Powell will see plenty of playing time 

Jonathan Powell, a 6’6” freshman from Dayton, Ohio, scored 11 points in 18 minutes. He knocked down 3 of his 5 attempts from 3-point territory. Powell was named the Division I Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year in 2023-24 and shot 41% from beyond the arc. If Powell can knock down shots consistently and use his length defensively to disrupt opposing offenses, he will be a fixture in the WVU rotation.

3. West Virginia will not shy away from shooting the basketball 

In their scrimmage, WVU made 11 of 33 attempts from 3-point territory. They had 10 players attempt 2 or more threes. To go along with the aforementioned DeVries, Small, and Powell, look for the likes of Toby Okani, Jayden Stone, Joseph Yesufu, and big man Amani Hansberry to get some looks from the outside. Stone in particular averaged 7.7 3-point attempts per game at Detroit Mercy last season. 

Cause for Concern 

The need for rebounding and rim protection will likely be a topic of discussion throughout the season. West Virginia only outrebounded a D2 opponent in Charleston 38-34. The toughest position to fill for many teams across the country via the transfer portal was the center position. Notably, WVU brought in Hansberry, a 6'8 forward, from Illinois and 6'11 center Eduardo Andre from Fresno State. Hansberry started at center tonight alongside a starting lineup featuring Small, Sencire Harris, DeVries, and Okani.

What West Virginia gets as far as production from Hansberry and Andre will be a major indication of how successful this team can be. DeVries and Small will bring consistency offensively, but their level of production is likely not enough to overcome a subpar defense anchored by the big men. Keep an eye on this as the season begins.

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