--West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins said that Jalen Bridges has really worked at it. He’s got in the gym and worked on what they’ve asked him to do. He knows what he can do and what he can’t, so he tries to really accentuate the positive and stay away from the negative.
--Jamie Dixon is a really good coach, and you have to give him and his players credit. When West Virginia fumbled balls they made shots and the Mountaineers couldn’t score with easy attempts.
--Bridges isn’t back to where he was at the end of last year yet, but he’s also being asked to do a lot of different things. A year ago, he was on the second team so there wasn’t the pressure there is now. He’s not just going to get in but he’s an integral part of what they do.
--Huggins thought this team could be really good and this is not a shot at him but they’re better off with Jalen Bridges in the lineup because it ISO’s Derek Culver down there. It was so crowded in the lane and they tried to roll and replace but it didn’t help a lot because a lot of teams don’t play bigs like that. Isaiah Cottrell’s deal really hurt them because he is a skill guy. When he pops out, they have to come out and guard him and that’s what happens with Gabe Osabuohien, they don’t come out. So, Isaiah Cottrell was a huge loss.
--Nobody knows if Jordan McCabe will be ready for Saturday because that is a day-to-day thing.
--Bridges has good feet, he can pass the ball and he’s obviously going to end up being a three-man and out on the perimeter guarding, passing and handling the ball. He’s got plenty of things to work on to expand his game but the great thing about Bridges is he does what he’s asked to do and he tries to excel at that. That doesn’t happen a whole lot in this current college basketball climate.
--The more playing time Kedrian Johnson gets the more comfortable he’ll be. He’s a talented guy but he wasn’t here all summer and it put him behind. He’s got a chance to be an outstanding player in this league.
--Huggins would be open to any suggestions that people have to keep Gabe Osabuohien from fouling out.
--Culver was anything but stellar today, although he did make his free throws. He’s come a long, long way but it’s about consistency. If you want to go on and make money playing basketball you have to bring it every day. He wasn’t alone we didn’t have anybody to bring it today. He’s got to be more consistent and his skill level has improved.
--Jamie Dixon is a really good coach, and you have to give him and his players credit. When West Virginia fumbled balls they made shots and the Mountaineers couldn’t score with easy attempts.
--Bridges isn’t back to where he was at the end of last year yet, but he’s also being asked to do a lot of different things. A year ago, he was on the second team so there wasn’t the pressure there is now. He’s not just going to get in but he’s an integral part of what they do.
--Huggins thought this team could be really good and this is not a shot at him but they’re better off with Jalen Bridges in the lineup because it ISO’s Derek Culver down there. It was so crowded in the lane and they tried to roll and replace but it didn’t help a lot because a lot of teams don’t play bigs like that. Isaiah Cottrell’s deal really hurt them because he is a skill guy. When he pops out, they have to come out and guard him and that’s what happens with Gabe Osabuohien, they don’t come out. So, Isaiah Cottrell was a huge loss.
--Nobody knows if Jordan McCabe will be ready for Saturday because that is a day-to-day thing.
--Bridges has good feet, he can pass the ball and he’s obviously going to end up being a three-man and out on the perimeter guarding, passing and handling the ball. He’s got plenty of things to work on to expand his game but the great thing about Bridges is he does what he’s asked to do and he tries to excel at that. That doesn’t happen a whole lot in this current college basketball climate.
--The more playing time Kedrian Johnson gets the more comfortable he’ll be. He’s a talented guy but he wasn’t here all summer and it put him behind. He’s got a chance to be an outstanding player in this league.
--Huggins would be open to any suggestions that people have to keep Gabe Osabuohien from fouling out.
--Culver was anything but stellar today, although he did make his free throws. He’s come a long, long way but it’s about consistency. If you want to go on and make money playing basketball you have to bring it every day. He wasn’t alone we didn’t have anybody to bring it today. He’s got to be more consistent and his skill level has improved.
