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A positive look at the Esa Ahmad suspension

September 28, 2017 by Ryan Decker

Earlier this week it was announced by West Virginia that forward Esa Ahmad will miss the first half of the upcoming season after failing to meet NCAA eligibility requirements.

Ahmad, a former four-star recruit out of Cleveland, was the second-leading scorer for the Mountaineers last year, averaging 11.3 points per game and finished third in rebound at 4.3 per contest.

Despite being one of the most important players on a young team that includes just four upperclassmen, maybe Ahmad missing time isn’t the worst thing for the program.

Huggins said himself, when asked about the depth of the team, that the young players were going to have to step up regardless.

“They were going to play anyways,” Huggins said. “D’Angelo (Hunter) has had a good summer, (Wesley Harris) has had a good summer.”

The head coach continued to say, “What it does is it gives Logan Routt an opportunity to play meaningful minutes. But he’s worked hard at it. He’s much improved.”

Without Ahmad, a projected starting lineup could look something like: Jevon Carter, Daxter Miles Jr., Lamont West, Maceij Bender and Sagaba Konate. After that, James “Beetle” Bolden and Routt would be first off the bench.

That’s a very long and tall starting lineup, a perfect match for Huggins’ patented “Press Virginia” style of play.

In Ahmad’s absence, though, Huggins will find out right away what players he will be able to use once the forward returns in January just after the start of Big 12 play.

Ahmad will miss key games against Texas A&M, Virginia and Pittsburgh, but West Virginia should be able to get through non-conference play relatively unscathed, even with Ahmad not on the court. He will be back with the club by the time WVU hosts Kentucky in late January.

Much like there’s not an exact date as to when Ahmad will be reinstated, there’s not an exact date when we’ll know if there was a positive payoff to the situation. Dec. 5 against UVA is a good place to look, though.

But with Ahmad out we’ll get to learn the depth of this team quickly. And if Huggins finds he has a deep team without Ahmad, think of what getting him back in the lineup will do.

The regular season begins November 10 against Texas A&M at 6 p.m. ET, with the game being played at the Ramstein Air Force Base in Ramstein, Germany as part of the Armed Forces Classic.

Big 12 play begins on the road in Stillwater against Oklahoma St. on Dec. 29.

You can find the full schedule here.

Big shoes to fill (for half the season, at least)

September 27, 2017 by Derek Redd

The WVU men’s basketball team took a big hit to its roster for the first half of the season when it announced forward Esa Ahmad would be ineligible for that time period. So what does that mean for the Mountaineers?

Nothing good until January.

To begin, the Mountaineers lose a veteran starter. The junior has started 66 of the 68 games in which he has played. It also could change the way Bob Huggins formulates his lineup. For most of last season, his starting five included two guards and three forwards. When Ahmad went down with a back injury in the end of February, WVU switched to a three-guard lineup — Jevon Carter, Tarik Phillip and Daxter Miles. Phillip has graduated, so if Huggins goes that route again in Ahmad’s absence, he has to find another guard worthy of joining the lineup with Carter and Miles.

But would WVU want to work a three-guard lineup for half a season and then switch to two guards for the other half? A three-game solution is one thing, but 15 or 16 games? That might mean another forward gets the call. The Mountaineers already are looking for two more starting forwards now that Nate Adrian graduated and Elijah Macon left early to go pro. Now all three of last year’s starting forwards are gone until early January. And Ahmad was last season’s second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder.

Who steps into Ahmad’s place? Looking at the minutes played last year, that could be Lamont West, who is a more prolific 3-point shooter and less prolific rebounder. Sagaba Konate is WVU’s top shot blocker, but will need to play more than 11 minutes a game. Expect D’Angelo Hunter and Wesley Harris to be counted on early. That’s why teams bring in junior college transfers in the first place.

None of this puts WVU in a great position. Ahmad won’t be available against Texas A&M, Virginia, Pitt or the first three games of the Big 12 schedule. Huggins meets with the media Thursday, and it will be interesting to see if any more light gets shed on his lineup plans for the first part of the 2017-18 campaign.

 

Holgorsen Press Conference News and Notes

September 26, 2017 by Ryan Decker

With West Virginia having this weekend off from game action, only head coach Dana Holgorsen spoke at Tuesday media availability. He started off on a somber note, confirming that Brendan Ferns will miss the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury that required surgery.

The head coach said that Ferns was, “Probably our most solid special teams guy.” He is likely to miss six months and be back from spring practice.

Here are some other takeaways:

Options, Feelings with Ferns

Asked about the possibility of whether or not the program could redshirt Ferns for the remainder of the year, Holgorsen said it’s an option but something they’re going to wait on.

It’s the second-straight season he’d suffered a season-ending setback.

It was also easy to tell that Holgorsen felt bad for, and appreciates, Ferns and what he’s meant to the team.

Getting Healthy

Despite Ferns’ injury, the head coach feels good about where the team is, health-wise, saying, “We’re as healthy right now as we have been all year.”

The bye week only helps the team continue to get back to as close to full strength as possible.

Holgorsen said that this week and next they’re going to start shuffling guys around on defense as they get players back, with David Long’s name being mentioned.

The Hogmollies

Holgorsen seemed very pleased by the performance of his offensive line Saturday.

“Pressure was limited,” said the head coach. “I thought we pass protected pretty good. I thought we ran blocked pretty good as well against a decent front.”

On the flip side, he was not happy with the production from his defensive linemen, outside of Lamonte McDougle.

“He’ll probably be playing more.”

Slip and Slide

Asked about quarterback Will Grier’s ability, or lack thereof, to slide when escaping the pocket, Holgorsen said it’s something he needs to work on.

He added, laughingly, that Grier is simply bad at falling or sliding down, saying he might need to bring baseball head coach Randy Mazey over to teach sliding technique.

On the plus side, Holgorsen has consistently commended his QB’s abilities inside the pocket and knowing when to escape.

WVU returns to action next Saturday, on the road at TCU.

Mitch Vingle Top 25, Sept. 24

September 24, 2017 by  

Here ya go folks.
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Oklahoma
4. Penn State
5. USC
6. Washington
7. Michigan
8. TCU
9. Wisconsin
10. Ohio State
11. Georgia
12. Virginia Tech
13. Auburn
14. Miami
15. Louisville
16. Washington State
17. Oklahoma State
18. Florida
19. Duke
20. Notre Dame
21. San Diego State
22. North Carolina State
23. Utah
24. South Florida
25. West Virginia

WVU Report card: Kansas game

September 23, 2017 by Ryan Decker

A game that was much closer than anticipated leaves many Mountaineer fans scratching their heads.

The past two weeks of lopsided scores in non-conference play may have covered up some of West Virginia’s shortcomings, but they were exposed Saturday in the opening Big 12 game of the year.

Here’s how the team graded in the 56-34 win over Kansas.

Offense – A-

Fifty-six points is nothing to scoff at. Well over 600 yards of offense isn’t either.

However, an ugly third quarter that allowed Kansas to get back in the game lowers the grade.

The good news is that Grier was fairly accurate most of the game; the running game was efficient per usual, with a pair of 100-yard rushers in Justin Crawford and Kennedy McKoy; and the offensive line played arguably its best game as a unit this season.

Attribute the third-quarter woes to this being just the second time this season the first-team offense was on the field past the mid-way part of the third quarter, but a potential lull like that in a game against stiffer competition is worrisome.

All in all, though, the Mountaineer offense looked good, especially given that starting field position in the first half was less than desirable.

Defense – D-

The only reason this unit doesn’t get an F is because WVU got the win.

But giving up 291 rushing yards to a single player, the most to one player in school history to an opposing rusher, is appalling.

Giving up over 550 yards to Kansas is not a good look. In all honesty, it’s laughable.

Kansas hasn’t gained that many yards in one game since last year’s season opener against Rhode Island.

Missed tackles, blown assignments, you name it, it happened.

Granted, the defense did have a couple big plays.

Mike Daniels had a pick-six, Lamonte McDougle forced a fumble and Al-Rasheed Benton also had an interception.

However, the Jayhawks were successful on both fourth down attempts, and converted on third down 44-percent of the time, which is a higher conversion rate than what they’ve been successful at so far this year.

This defensive unit must improve mightily over the next few weeks, or it will get gashed to a point that the talented WVU offense can not bail it out (i.e. OK-State – it’s going to get ugly folks)

Special teams – B-

The third kickoff out of bounds penalty on the year by Evan Staley knocks this grade down. Three such plays in just four games is concerning.

With that said, though, kickoffs were sailing to the end zone at seemingly a higher rate than they have so far in 2017. Staley booted six touchbacks.

It’s been a problem for the Mountaineers that seems to be moving in the right direction.

Coverage was largely good. Those six WVU kickoffs kneed down in the end zone is due, in part due to coverage.

Kansas averaged just 19 yards on kickoff returns, while West Virginia was slightly better at 22 yards per return on kicks that were brought out of the end zone.

 

Overall grade – C

Gameday Live: WVU at Kansas

by Derek Redd

The Mountaineers begin their Big 12 conference slate in Lawrence against Kansas. Mitch Vingle is in the press box, and you can follow him here for all the action from start to finish.

 

Guarding against the upset

by Derek Redd

The Mountaineers enter the Big 12 portion of their schedule in about the best way possible — easing in against Kansas. Then hadn’t been as lucky the last four seasons, with three openers against Oklahoma and one against Kansas State. But don’t think Dana Holgorsen is taking this game lightly.

“We’ve prepared for their best game of the season, that’s for sure.”

It wouldn’t take much for the Jayhawks to put together their best game of the season. Their lone win is against Southeast Missouri and they followed that with two losses to Mid-American Conference teams. But Hologorsen has good reason to be wary in Lawrence. It was in Lawrence where the Mountaineers might have hit their low point in the Holgorsen era.

In 2013, West Virginia didn’t just lose at Kansas, it lost handily, 31-19 to a Charlie Weis-coached outfit that finished 3-9 and hadn’t won a Big 12 game since beating Colorado in 2010. That loss eliminated the Mountaineers from bowl contention in a season where they finished 4-8, the only losing season WVU has suffered under Holgorsen.

Now, West Virginia has the advantage over Kansas in just about every category, but the Jayhawks aren’t bad at throwing the ball, and that might be enough to allow Kansas to hang around and make things interesting. Holgorsen has been pretty careful in what he has said this week. Surely, he doesn’t want any flashbacks to a bad, bad memory.

 

Scouting the Opponent: Kansas

September 22, 2017 by Ryan Decker

West Virginia (2-1) hits the road this weekend to take on Kansas (1-2) at noon ET on Saturday.  It’s the first true road game for the Mountaineers in 2017.

Head coach Dana Holgorsen said on Tuesday he expects to be tested by the Jayhawks, also saying he didn’t want to leave anyone out when asked about Kansas players to watch out for, in hopes of not becoming bulletin board material in Lawrence.

Here’s a quick look at David Beaty’s club.

Jayhawks move it through the air 

Offensively, the Jayhawks have been much more efficient through the air than they have been in recent years.

Quarterback Peyton Bender became the fastest Kansas passer to eclipse 1,000 passing yards and is attempting to become the first 2,000-yard passer in Lawrence since 2009.

Not a ton of options 

Even though Bender appears to be one of the best passers Kansas has had in some time, his options of players to throw to are somewhat limited.

His favorite targets are wideout Steven Sims Jr. and tight end Ben Johnson. Sims hauled in six catches for 60 yards last week in his return to action. The week prior, he started but could not finish the game due to an ankle injury, which ended his streak of 24-straight games with at least one catch.

Johnson, a senior, is averaging over 14 yards per reception.

Running the football 

Defensively, Beaty’s team hasn’t fared great against the run, which isn’t a good sign when welcoming in the Big 12’s leading rusher in Justin Crawford.

Crawford not only leads the conference in rushing yards, but in touchdowns as well, and has eclipsed 100 yards in each game this season.

Offensively, the Jayhawks don’t run the ball well, either, placing dead last in the conference.

Defensive Anchors 

Despite not being a good run-stopping team, Kansas has faired well at stopping plays in the backfield this year.

Led by Joe Dineen Jr.’s seven, Kansas has 25 tackles for loss as a team.

Daniel Wise has six stops in the backfield, as well.

Dineen is the conference’s leading tackler and has recorded at least 11 tackles in each game. His 38 stops are third best in the nation.

Despite being a team that’s good at stopping plays in the backfield, the Jayhawks have recorded just two sacks this year.

Big Play Ability 

Kansas has given up eight plays that gained 30-plus yards this season, and West Virginia’s offense has run 12 such plays.

Opponents have scored at least 40 points in each of the last two games against the Jayhawks. Meanwhile, the WVU first-team defense has surrendered just one touchdown over its last two contests.

 

The More You Know … about some hoops recruits

September 20, 2017 by Derek Redd

Mitch found out a couple of basketball recruiting tidbits Tuesday:

So who are these guys?

Muhammad is a four-star shooting guard from Hudson Catholic in Jersey City. He’s ranked No. 76 overall by 247Sports, No. 15 among shooting guards and No. 5 in New Jersey. Ohio State, St. John’s, Virginia, Xavier are all hot on his trail.

Doomes is a three-star guard rated No. 175 nationally, No. 41 among shooting guards and No. 17 in Florida. He has offers from Auburn, Ole Miss, UAB and Middle Tennessee, but according to 247Sports, not one from the Mountaineers just yet. Looks like that could change.

Allen played at Chaminade-Madonna in Hollywood, Florida, before going juco. He had offers from Florida Gulf Coast, Iowa State and Kent State among others, and took an unofficial visit to WVU on July 5.

So now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

Holgorsen Press Conference News and Notes, Kansas Week

September 19, 2017 by Ryan Decker

West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen displayed a lot of respect for his team’s upcoming opponent – Kansas – during his weekly media session Tuesday.

He mentioned the familiarity between the two programs, having been conference foes for the last five years, as well as a number of coaches on both sides that have crossed paths more than once during their tenures.

“Can’t face an opponent that we know more about,” Holgorsen said.

Here are some additional notes:

WVU Getting Healthy

When asked to update the status on a few injured players, Holgorsen perked up all ears in attendance when he said players like Brandon Lingafelter, Toyous Avery and, most notably, linebacker David Long, are all progressing well in their returns from injury.

All three will make the trip to Kansas this weekend, though it remains to see if any will be active.

Grier Garners “QB Gene”

Asked about WVU’s starting quarterback, and the relationship his has with the players, Holgorsen said that Will Grier has that “starting quarterback gene” that allows him to not only be a good quarterback but also has guys gravitate towards him.

Wellman Doing Well. CFB Shift?

One player in particular that Holgorsen seems to be pleased with thus far is halfback Elijah Wellman.

The head coach stated he’s done a good job blocking and acting as a “sixth O-lineman out there.”

Along those lines, he mentioned that he has seen a shift in college football of coaches using players like Wellman more often. This is because of their athleticism and versatility of being able to get out and block, as well as pass catch, out in space.

Wellman certainly fits that mold.

Jayhawks to Watch

With a slight smile on his face, Holgorsen said he didn’t want to leave anyone out when asked to highlight a few of the key players on Kansas, saying he didn’t want to motivate any Jayhawk player he didn’t name outright.

However, he did highlight a few.

Both No. 11’s – safety Mike Lee and wide receiver Steven Sims Jr. – were highlighted.

Sims racked up a conference-best 207 all-purpose yards against SE Missouri St. Lee averages seven tackles a game.

Junior linebacker Joe Dineen Jr. paces the Big 12 in tackles with 38, nine more than any other player.