The All-Big 12 Conference honors were released on Monday afternoon, and it is no surprise that West Virginia senior guard Javon Small has been named as a first team all-conference member. In just one season with the Mountaineers, Small has put forth numerous incredible performances.
On the regular season, Small averaged 18.5 points, 5.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and1.6 steals per game while logging an average of 36 minutes played per game.
While Small was sensation all season long for the Mountaineers, these 5 performances -- ordered by the date of occurrence -- stand out above the rest.
1. WVU vs. Gonzaga (11/27)
Way back in late November, Gonzaga was the country's third-ranked team, and followers of the Mountaineer basketball program were unsure of what they had at the time. In a thrilling comeback victory, the Mountaineers were able to knock off the heavily favored Gonzaga Bulldogs in overtime by a score of 86-78.
Javon Small went off for a season-high 31 points in 42 minutes alongside running mate Tucker DeVries, who poured in 16 of his own before being sidelined for the season just a couple weeks later. This performance by Small in late November let West Virginia fans know that they had a special player leading the charge for their team in their point guard.
2. WVU at Kansas (12/31)
With starters Tucker DeVries and Amani Hansberry sidelined with injury, the Mountaineers had the cards stacked against them against the seventh-ranked Jayhawks in the Big 12 opener.
As heavy underdogs and a program that had not yet won at Allen Fieldhouse since joining the conference, this was a tall task for head coach Darian DeVries and company. West Virginia was able to jump out to a 13-point halftime lead and received major contributions from an unlikely candidate in Eduardo Andre who scored 15 points and collected 6 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 assists.
While Javon Small scored only 13 points in the 62-61 win, his ability to control the game against the Jayhawks helped secure the victory. In addition to his scoring, he collected a season-high 11 rebounds and dished out 6 assists, making an all-around impact on the game in a performance that showed the Mountaineers would not be taken lightly in Big 12 play.
3. WVU vs. Iowa State (1/18)
The WVU Coliseum was rocking in mid-January when the second-ranked Cyclones of Iowa State came to town. Against a pair of talented defensive guards whose scouting report was to key in on Javon Small, Small managed to score 27 points and was the only Mountaineer starter in double figures. In a tight contest, the Mountaineers were able to pull away late for a 64-57 victory over the #2 team in the nation.
4. WVU vs. TCU (2/25)
As the calendar crept closer to March, Javon Small and his team found themselves on the NCAA Tournament bubble. The TCU Horned Frogs visited the Coliseum in a matchup of bubble teams in desperate need of a win. West Virginia started the game hot, carrying a 15-point lead into the half. Small recorded a double-double with 23 points and 10 assists, knowing down 6 three-pointers. West Virginia defeated TCU by a final score of 73-55.
5. WVU vs. UCF (3/8)
In the regular season finale, West Virginia faced the UCF Knights for the first time all season. A win would all but solidify WVU’s hopes of an NCAA Tournament bid. Small began the first half looking for his shot early and often, something that his head coach has implored him to do more often.
After taking a 22-point lead into the half, the Mountaineers were able to prevail by a final score of 72-65 after a near second-half collapse.
Small finished the night with 25 points on five made threes, and also dished out 9 assists and collected 7 rebounds in the season finale on Senior Night.
Postseason Play
If the Mountaineers are to make any noise in Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament or throughout the NCAA Tournament, Javon Small will have to be special, as he has been all season. The first-team All-Big 12 team member is itching to get his first taste of March Madness, and Mountaineer fans should be excited about the potential Small and WVU have for the postseason run ahead.