It’s easy to dwell on Darian DeVries missing Big 12 Coach of the Year or Javon Small not winning Player of the Year. But dwelling on those details would take away from the incredible journey this team has been on. Read more: DeVries Delivers: WVU’s Stunning One-Year Turnaround
The turnaround of West Virginia basketball this season has been nothing short of remarkable. Just a year ago, this team won only nine games, testing even the most dedicated Mountaineer fans. A blowout 24-point loss to Pittsburgh early this season was hardly encouraging. Yet, the resilience of this team quickly became evident. When WVU hit the court in the Bahamas, it was as if an entirely different squad had taken shape. They finished third in the Battle 4 Atlantis with upsets over Arizona and Gonzaga and played three straight overtime games.
“I’ve been doing this 27 years now as a coach, and I don’t know that I’ve had a group of three games like this where I’ve been more impressed and more proud of a group of men who showed incredible fight, resolve and toughness,” said Devries earlier this season. “Maybe even more importantly, togetherness. They just refused to quit.”
The coaching adjustments, the player development, and the sheer determination of this team were all on full display. Everything was immediately tested when Tucker DeVries, averaging 14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, suffered a season-ending injury after transferring with his father. The team suddenly lost its formidable backcourt duo that had shined in the Bahamas. In response, Small, just the fourth Mountaineer to earn All-Big 12 First Team honors, carried the team on his back and led them to a likely tournament bid.
READ: Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship Bracket Released
“I just hope people really appreciate the season he had,” said Coach Devries after the win on Senior night against UCF last week. “I’ve been doing this a long time and there’s only two or three guys that I can name that had a season like this.”
Team Effort
However, this was not a one man show. WVU is ranked 16th in scoring defense, allowing an average of 55.5 points per game. The Big 12 named sophomore guard Sencire Harris to this year’s All-Big 12 Defensive Team. While sophomore Amani Hansberry and senior Joseph Yesufu stepped up whenever Small had an off day.
They are playing with house money as they head to Kansas City to begin the Big 12 Tournament. They will face the winner of Tuesday’s game between TCU and Colorado this Wednesday at 3 p.m.
In just one season, Coach DeVries has led the Mountaineers back to the NCAA Tournament, continuing the legacy built by Bob Huggins and John Beilein. And with a team that has defied the odds all season, there’s every reason to believe they can make a deep run.
