WVU’s ‘anaconda’ defense — and how the team can be more lethal
The WVU men’s basketball team won a rock fight at Oklahoma State on Monday night.
And it’s because the Mountaineers have shown they know how to fight.
We’ve seen them display that willingness time after time en route to a No. 17 ranking and 12-2 record.
Of course, West Virginia can also defend.
ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla certainly has noticed. He said on the ESPN2 broadcast the Mountaineers might have the nation’s best defensive team.
On Twitter he called big man Oscar Tshiebwe “the best athlete in the Big 12 Conference.”
Then, on Tuesday, Fraschilla tweeted that “Press Virginia is a thing of the [past]. Instead, [Bob Huggins’] half-court defense strangles you like an anaconda. 12 deep, toughness, massive size inside & Arkansas transfer Gabe Osabouhien has faster hands than a card shark on 42ndStreet. They can guard ANYONE.”
Some nice compliments to be sure.
Which lead to new challenges.
With the well-deserved kudos come expectations of consistent “anaconda-like” performances. That defense will now be under the spotlight.
Back in the days of “Press Virginia,” the Mountaineers handled that challenge exceptionally well – right down to the close loss to eventual national champ Villanova in the Sweet 16. They were steely.
As Fraschilla said, this team is different – yet fun for WVU fans to watch nonetheless.
Look at the numbers.
Nationally, West Virginia is No. 3 in field goal percentage defense at 37.7 percent, behind only Virginia and Memphis.
In scoring defense, the Mountaineers are No. 21, allowing an average of 60.4 points.
And remember, this is against a very tough schedule.
Of course, as you guys might know, I love diving into the numbers. It’s a baseline for anyone covering or commenting on teams. You expand from there.
Most times, though, those numbers validate what you see. For example, WVU is No. 20 nationally in rebound margin at an average of 42 to the opponents’ 34.1. Take a bow Tshiebwe and Derek Culver, right? The Mountaineers are No. 7 in offensive rebounds per game at 14.5.
Yet back to those challenges. (And you know where I’m heading.)
West Virginia has to now pair the defensive prowess with some offensive improvement. Your eyes and the stats also match there.
In offensive field goal percentage, WVU is No. 235 nationally at 42.7. In free throw percentage it is No. 306 at 65.2.
Oh, and in personal fouls per game? The Mountaineers are No. 288, averaging 19.2. (If you’re wondering which teams aren’t getting whistles, you’ll not be surprised to know Notre Dame is No. 1 at 11.6 and Virginia is No. 3 at 12.)
So there’s improvement to be had. A bunch.
But defensively, I’m with Fraschilla.
These Mountaineers certainly can rock.
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Mitch Vingle covered sports in West Virginia for 38 years. Follow Mitch on Twitter at @MitchVingle and be sure to check out the rest of Wheelhouse Creative’s website for your marketing and advertising needs. If interested, call us at 304-905-6005.
