Crystal Ball: WVU Basketball Roster 2013 - 2014

Tonight I watched the Mountaineer's come out on top against a solid, albeit unranked, Villanova team led by a career night from Senior Truck Bryant. This win came on the heels of a near-win against an undefeated, top 10 Baylor teams. I expect the team to make the NCAA Tournament, and hopefully they will make a nice run in March, but on paper this doesn't look like a Final Four team. Now it must be pointed out that at this point in the season last year, UConn and Butler weren't sexy picks to go to the Final Four, but the point still stands that this Mountaineer squad lacks the experience, and probably the size down low to be a serious contender come March.

When you look at the 2009-2010 squad that did make the final four, it looked like a perfect storm, even preseason. Da'Sean Butler was the team's best player and unquestioned leader. Huggins highly regarded recruiting class of Ebanks, Jones, and Bryant all had a year under their belt. Wellington Smith and John Flowers both improved, allowing them to be significant contributors. Joe Mazzulla returned the team relatively healthy.

Looking forward, the next time it looks favorable that a perfect storm will brew in Morgantown will be the 2013-2014 season. Below is a projected roster, hopefully projecting Anthony Bennett (link to his ESPN recruiting profile here) to sign with the Mountaineers this spring, and then assuming he doesn't enter the NBA after his freshman year. Another important addition is transfer Aaric Murray. With this roster, the Mountaineers should have plenty of depth at every position, and plenty of experience with 2 seniors and 6 juniors, with all of the juniors being a freshman this year.

Point Guard
Jabarie Hinds - JR
Gary Browne - JR

Shooting Guard
Aaron Brown - JR
Terry Henderson - SO
Eron Harris - SO

Small Forward
Anthony Bennett - SO
Keaton Miles - JR
Tommie McCune - JR

Power Forward
Elijah Macon - SO
Kevin Noreen - SR
Brandon Watkins - FR
Nathan Adrian - FR

Center

Aaric Murray - SR
Pat Forsythe - JR

Elijah Macon, Terry Henderson, and Eron Harris are the Mountaineer's three current commits in basketball.