MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — There were moments Friday night that would make you believe the West Virginia men’s basketball team has fixed all of its ills from a year ago.
To be sure, the Mountaineers’ 78-70 charity exhibition win against Duquesne in front of 9,705 fans at the WVU Coliseum was one that pointed to many positives.
Like WVU holding a 48-35 rebounding advantage or the fact the Mountaineers never trailed in the game and led by as many as 15 points late in the second half.
Still, little of it pleased WVU head coach Bob Huggins, the man in charge of the task of getting the Mountaineers back to relevance after going 15-21 last season.
“For what I think we need to be to be a really good team, I thought we were horrible,” Huggins said. “One, rebounding the ball. Two, from the free-throw line and, three, from 3-point range. We’ve got to do those things better.”
It was a solid debut for five-star freshman forward Oscar Tshiebwe, who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 17 rebounds, but now teamed with 6-foot-10 teammate Derek Culver, it was not the type of dominating inside game they both have pictured numerous times.
“It was difficult at some times, because we haven’t quite connected on certain things, like who is going to go screen or who is going to go to the short corner or who is going to make the pass,” said Culver, who added seven points and eight rebounds, but was held out for much of the second half, because Huggins wanted to take an extended look at some other players. “That’s all going to come in due time. Oscar is making fast strides. If I can learn how to become his security blanket and he becomes mine, I feel like everything will be OK.”
Tshiebwe began to make a difference early in the second half. First by scoring off an offensive rebound and then throwing a pump fake at the foul line and then driving in for a lay-up.
He flew through the air and tipped in Taz Sherman’s missed 3-pointer with 15:31 remaining in the game that gave the Mountaineers a 47-38 lead.
“We’ve got to get much better,” Tshiebwe said of his pairing with Culver. “We’ve got to work harder on getting used to each other. We’ve got to get better on our post moves and I have to get better making those 15-foot jump shots. I missed a couple when I was open.”
Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot likened the Mountaineers’ inside game to a mud-wrestling match — “You better buckle up and play with toughness,” he said — and many opposing coaches may feel the same way when they get their first look at Tshiebwe and Culver — an all-Big 12 freshman last season after averaging 11.5 points and 9.9 rebounds — standing next to each other on the court.
Yet, Huggins holds his expectations so much higher of his twin towers, and also of 6-11 reserve center Logan Routt, who struggled in eight minutes of action with no points and one rebound.
“Why wouldn’t I expect Derek to at least do what he did a year ago?” Huggins sasked. “I think that’s fair. Why wouldn’t I expect Logan to make a tremendous jump when he’s got a whole lot better? Neither one of those two were active or got their hands on balls as much as we expect them to.”
WVU struggled from the outside, going just 6 of 23 from 3-point range, but junior-college transfer Sean McNeil helped close the game out by scoring nine of his 12 points in the second half.
“He averaged 35 a game (in junior college), so you’d probably think he would score a few,” Huggins said.
Emmitt Matthews added 11 points and five rebounds and Taz Sherman, the second of Huggins junior-college recruits this season, scored eight.
Notes
* WVU guard Jermaine Haley sat out the game with back stiffness. Huggins said he hoped to have Haley back in time for next Friday’s season opener against Akron.
* Arkansas transfer Gabe Osabuohien also sat out and is still waiting to hear from the NCAA on his eligibility waiver. Huggins said there was nothing new to report on the situation.
* Huntington native Tavian Dunn-Martin led Duquesne with 22 points.
* All proceeds from the game went to the Dayton Oregon District Tragedy Fund, which helps families who were effected by the mass shooting in Dayton in August.
West Virginia’s #1, Derek Culver drives to the hoop against Dusquene at the WVU Coliseum on Friday. 
West Virginia’s #11, Emmitt Mathews Jr. playing aggressively against Dusquene at the WVU Coliseum on Friday. 
West Virginia’s #11, Emmitt Mathews Jr. playing aggressively against Dusquene at the WVU Coliseum on Friday. 
West Virginia’s #15, Jalen Bridges drives to the hoop against Dusquene at the WVU Coliseum on Friday. 
West Virginia forward Derek Culver had seven points and eight rebounds Friday night in the Mountaineers’ 78-70 exhibition win against Duquesne at the WVU Coliseum. 
West Virginia’s #2, Brandon Knapper drives down the court against Dusquene at the WVU Coliseum on Friday. 
West Virginia’s #12, Taz Sherman, drives down the court against Dusquene at the WVU Coliseum on Friday. 
West Virginia first year, #34, Oscar Tshiebwe drives down the court against Dusquene at the WVU Coliseum on Friday. 
West Virginia first year, #34, Oscar Tshiebwe drives down the court against Dusquene at the WVU Coliseum on Friday. 
West Virginia first year, #34, Oscar Tshiebwe drives down the court against Dusquene at the WVU Coliseum on Friday. 
West Virginia foward Oscar Tshiebwe had 17 points and 14 rebounds Friday in the Mountaineers’ 78-70 exhibition victory against Duquesne at the WVU Coliseum. (Shelby Thoburn/The Dominion Post) 
West Virginia first year, #4, Miles McBride plays aggressively against Dusquene at the WVU coliseum on Friday. 
West Virginia first year, #4, Miles McBride plays aggressively against Dusquene at the WVU coliseum on Friday. 
West Virginia point guard, #5, Jordan McCabe drives down the court against Dusquene at the WVU Coliseum on Friday. 
West Virginia point guard, #5, Jordan McCabe drives down the court against Dusquene at the WVU Coliseum on Friday.
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