I’d seen very little of Joe Mazzulla before last sumer. He played sparingly as a freshman and you could never get a really good idea of who he was and how he was meant to play within the parameters of John Beilein’s offense. Well, Mazzulla loosened up quite a bit in the Pittsburgh Basketball Club’s Summer Pro-Am League.

I witnessed a point guard with an edge who suddenly gained confidence in the league. It was as if you literally sat there and watched him drive past college players and realize, ‘Wow, I forgot how easy that could be.’ Mazzulla was unstoppable at times and earned the league’s MVP honors. It was a major, major turning point for him.

It was also the debut of John Flowers, who looked like a long player who liked to post guys up and play some defense, and Cam Thoroughman, who seemed as if he’d never let you down in the effort category. You could see Johnnie West needed another year to add to his frame and that Da’Sean Butler hadn’t dropped off after his strong freshman season.

For a team that needed a direction after a coaching change, the Pro-Am League was it. The players bonded and were reminded of how good they were and could be after they felt they were deserted by a coach.

Well, it’s back and the Mountaineers will be deeply involved once again. What will we see from Devin Ebanks, Darryl Bryant and Kevin Jones. Has Wellington Smith already flipped the switch? How is Will Thomas’ leg?

We shall see. Games start today.