NOTEBOOK: West Virginia prepares to face challenging Charleston Classic field

MORGANTOWN — Taz Sherman didn’t need a media guide to know his success rate at WVU during in-season tournaments.

“I’ve already told everyone, I’m 2-0 in these little tournaments,” Sherman said. “I don’t plan on being 2-1.”

The Mountaineers won the Crossover Classic in South Dakota that actually kicked off the 2020-21 season. In 2019, WVU also won the Cancun Challenge with victories over Northern Iowa and Wichita State.

WVU STATS

ELON STATS

The Charleston (S.C) Classic is an eight-team field that also includes Elon, Boise State, Temple, Clemson, Mississippi, Marquette and No. 22 St. Bonaventure.

Each team will play three games over four days in either the winner’s or loser’s bracket, with the championship game scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

All eight teams will have an off day on Saturday.

“I think these tournaments have been really good for us over the years,” WVU head coach Bob Huggins said. “You get a lot of experience and you get to play a lot of guys, because it is three games over four days. I think this tournament has probably as good a field as any we’ve played in.”

WVU (2-0) plays Elon (2-1) in the opening round at TD Arena at 9 p.m. Thursday.

The Phoenix lost to No. 24 Florida to begin its season, but have averaged 98 points per game in wins against Randolph College and Bluefield (Va.).

Elon combined for 31 3-pointers in those two wins, led by junior guard Zac Ervin, who was 11 of 20 from behind the arc.

“When they get on a roll, they make a lot of shots,” Huggins said. “They’re really good if you give them step-in shots. You’ve got to make them play on the run. You’ve got to make them play a little faster than they want to play. I think the more we speed them up, the harder it will be for them to score baskets.”

WVU will play the winner/loser of the Mississippi-Marquette game in the second round Friday.

A potential match-up against Marquette would reunite the Mountaineers with Marquette head coach Shaka Smart, who spent the last six years coaching Texas.

A third-round game could come against nationally ranked St. Bonaventure.

“St. Bonaventure is probably going to win its league,” Huggins said. “They’ve got everyone back. They’re experienced. They’re a really good team. Hopefully we get to play them.”

Bonding experience

Sherman said one of the additional benefits to playing in an in-season tournament is being able to build some team chemistry.

“It’s a good team-bonding thing,” Sherman said. “We’re around each other all day anyway, but you go home and stuff. Now, we’re all in the hotel, so we’re in each other’s rooms talking and watching other games.”

Playing more freshmen

As far as the rotation of players Huggins plans on using during the tournament, the coach said to expect to see more freshmen in the lineup.

“We’ve got some freshmen who are playing pretty well, but we haven’t had the opportunity to get them much playing time,” Huggins said. “Hopefully we can get those guys some playing time and get them feeling more confident.”

Guards Kobe Johnson and Seth Wilson have been the only true freshmen to appear so far in a game for the Mountaineers.

Jamel King, a 6-foot-7 freshman from Alabama, has yet to play. Freshman forward James Okonkwo injured his foot in the pre-season and is likely to redshirt, although Huggins has not made that official.

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