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No. 23: WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS
Last season: 26-9, 13-5 Big 12
Bob Huggins lost some guys, but the Mountaineers' success is largely predicated on their coach and his system. It'll again be a somewhat anonymous group of guards that includes guys such as Daxter Miles Jr., Jevon Carter and Tarik Phillip, who will wreak havoc on opponents. -- Jeff Goodman
Best case: Sweet 16. West Virginia can defend and rebound with any team in the country, and no team plays harder in the press. West Virginia is so well-coached and tough, but scoring efficiently has been an ongoing problem. The Mountaineers simply need to shoot the ball better. They play at such a frenetic pace on defense that they sometimes feel they go too fast on offense. But the combination of turnovers and low shooting percentages puts an enormous amount of pressure on the defense to get stops and turnovers. Bob Huggins has guards, with Daxter Miles Jr., Jevon Carter and Tarik Phillip coming back. But with Devin Williams and Jonathan Holton gone, that leaves a void on the glass and at the point of the press.
Worst case: First weekend casualty. West Virginia will make the NCAA tournament and get some big wins along the way, especially in Morgantown. How "Press Virginia" plays in the tournament depends on how the frontcourt matures during the season.
