CONWAY, S.C. — Not everything can be fixed in one game and the West Virginia men’s basketball team proved that in its 71-53 victory against Monmouth in the first round of the Myrtle Beach Invitational.
The Mountaineers trailed for 8:12 of the first half and didn’t take rebounding control until midway in the second half, while struggling offensively with 18 turnovers. West Virginia did find some offense in the second half, shooting 54.2 percent in the final 20 minutes after shooting 36.4 percent in the first half.
In any case, it’s on to the second round, where WVU (1-1) faces a dangerous Western Kentucky (2-1) team that can handle the ball and has two talented outside shooters in Taveion Hollingsworth and Jared Savage. They combined for 48 points and eight 3-pointers in the Hilltoppers 83-71 win against Valparaiso.
The danger lies in those shooters being able to spread West Virginia’s defense out and getting the Mountaineers to chase them, which is what Monmouth was able to do for stretches in the first half on Thursday. In all, the Hilltoppers have four players average double figures and keep an eye on forward Desean Murray, who averages 14.5 points per game and did not play in Western Kentucky’s season-opening loss on the road against then-No. 25 Washington.
On the horizon in the Myrtle Beach Invitational — the final games will be played Sunday after an off day on Saturday — is either UCF and 7-foot-6 center Tacko Fall or a dangerous St. Joseph’s team that dismantled Wake Forest in its first-round win.
For now, we’re concerned with Round 2, so here’s what you need to know:
TV: ESPNU for the 9 p.m. tip-off. BETTING LINE: West Virginia is an 8.5 point favorite.
THREE GOOD QUESTIONS
Can West Virginia get “Press” Virginia going again? At this point, the Mountaineers’ full-court pressure is a work in progress and Bob Huggins said he backed up the pressure in the second half against Monmouth so his players didn’t have to cover as much ground. In reality, we all sort of remember how good the pressure was in 2015 and 2016 and just assumed it would be like that every year. Well, even last year it wasn’t as good as before and that was when the nation’s top defensive player in Jevon Carter was on the roster. Truth is, you need all five guys in unison and there isn’t a Nathan Adrian or a Jonathan Holton at the top of the press anymore and there certainly isn’t a Carter on the floor anymore, either. It’s probably going to take some time.
What happened with Derek Culver? The freshman forward was suspended indefinitely on Thursday and there is a chance it could be a lengthy suspension. It seems to revolve around Culver simply not doing the things he needs to do, whether it be academically or being late for study halls or late for class — all things Huggins had hinted at before the suspension was announced. Culver did not travel with the team to Myrtle Beach, so maybe this will be an opportunity for him to realize it’s time to change some things. Or maybe it goes in the other direction. Hard to make a call on that one at this particular moment.
What are the biggest concerns with the team right now? Probably guard play, because Beetle Bolden is a guy who simply goes out and puts his body on the line every game and you have to wonder if he can take that pounding all season long. What he does by diving constantly for loose balls and taking charges is admirable, but you hold your breath every time he does it. Right now, you need Bolden at point guard, more because of defense than offense. He’s guarded at the Big 12 level before. Jordan McCabe is developing, but the question with him is can he guard for 30 minutes at the Big 12 level? Jermaine Haley is also developing, but it’s going to take some time for these first-year guys.
HI-FIVE MOMENT
Speaking of Bolden putting his body on the line, he had one play against Monmouth where he went after a loose ball and his momentum carried him into the seats behind the basket, where he met up with some West Virginia fans. Bolden said he locked eyes with one particular woman and, well, “I saw she was looking at me, so I gave her a hi-five,” Bolden said. “I’ve never done that in a game before.”
ALLAN TAYLOR’S PICK
Allan is going with the Mountaineers, 80-75.
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