2006-2007 Big East Preview: #15

#15- West Virginia Mountaineers

Last season: 22-11 (11-5), lost to Texas in the Sweet 16.
Coach: John Beilein (5th year). 77-51 at WVU.

2006-2007 promises to be a difficult year in Morgantown. In what can be described as a textbook transition year, West Virginia returns only one of their top six players from last season's sweet 16 team in senior forward Frank Young (7.4 ppg). The Mountaineers will have to rely on Beilein's trademark 1-3-1 zone defense in order to be competitive in every game. It will be extremely difficult to put points on the board when your only returning player averaged less than 10 points per game last season.

WVU's recruiting class is not very spectacular, but freshmen Devan Bawinkel and Da'Sean Butler will need to make an immediate impact for Beilein's team to be competitive in the rugged Big East. Also new to the WVU program is Butler transfer Jamie Smalligan, a 7-foot center who will give them a big body on the low block.

Beilein, recognizing this is a transitional year, has put together a very benign non-conference schedule. Other than a home date with UCLA on February 10th, West Virginia's toughest opponents will be NC State (themselves in a transitional year) and Virginia Tech in the Old Spice Classic. WVU fans should hope that the early season portion of the schedule gives the team some measure of confidence heading into Big East play. Their Big East schedule is not that difficult, drawing Cincinnati, Seton Hall, and Pittsburgh twice. While they will be swept by Pitt, they should be able to beat Cincinnati at least once and possibly catch Seton Hall sleeping when they visit Morgantown on February 17th. By that game however, WVU will be coming off an absolutely brutal three game stretch against UCLA, Georgetown, and Pittsburgh, all top 10 teams. I am of the opinion that West Virginia will need to catch lightning in a bottle in order to make the Big East Tournament this season.

Projected record: 14-15 (3-13).
Postseason: None.