Chesapeake Energy Capital Classic - WVU Preview

[smackemz]

Charleston - After world events led to the cancellation of the 2021 SimBBA college season, the 2020 NIT champion West Virginia Mountaineers have regrouped for the 2022 campaign. They will kick off the season with a familiar opponent in the Marshall Thundering Herd, revitalizing the former Chesapeake Energy Capital Classic held at neutral site in Charleston, West Virginia. The game will combine a thirst for victory in this rivalry that has state pride on the line, with the fact that it's been over a year since any team has played a competitive basketball game. A lot of questions surround both squads as they enter this matchup.

 

The last time we saw the Mountaineers on the hardwood, they dispatched the Western Michigan Broncos 85-57 to take home the NIT championship. Gone from that team are 4 starters, 3 which were seniors and one early SimNBA draft declaration. Reid Beltran, the team's leading scorer, was drafted into the NBA and Erick McLaughlin, left school early, also to take his talents to the NBA. Beyond WVU's top 2 players, they also lose starting PG Alan Alexander and starting SG Jess Shores to graduation. Overall coach Smackemz will have some work to do to figure out who's going to take over all of these open positions. Look for Senior Lucas Rowe to be the primary leader of the team early in the season as he is the only returning starter for the Mountaineers. Rowe brings a lot to the table as a rebounder, defender, and 3 point shooter so expect smackemz to look for ways to get him going early in games.

 

Senior guard Francis Bowie and Junior guard Huey Jett (sick name) also look to be a factor early on for the Mountaineers. There's a lot of potential to run a lot of 3 guard sets because the Mountaineers have depth in the backcourt. Another key player from the 2020 NIT run will be Sophomore forward Clarence Murphy - thoughts out of Morgantown are that he spent a lot of time rounding out his game, and the former 6th man should contend for major minutes this year. The team also has a trio of freshmen, headlined by 4* low post threat Mark Tomaskovic who could also contend for early contributions. The Mountaineers have several players who could play today, so who coach decides to redshirt will be an interesting item to watch.

 

For the Herd - look at the power Junior duo of Eric English and Yin Nguyen to pace them in all aspects of the game. They bring a lot of talent to the game and based on talent the Herd should be favored to take home the Capital Classic trophy. Early in the season, however; everyone will be trying to figure out their roster and gameplans and this game will be no different. The fans should be treated to an interesting rivalry game with state bragging rights on the line.

[BabaYaga]

Huey Jett will be more than just an All-Name Team nomination by the end of the year!