MORGANTOWN — When Derek Culver first caught the ball on the left block in the low post, the West Virginia forward said his first instinct was to pass the ball.
That does not surprise his coach, Bob Huggins.
“He passes well,” Huggins said. “He’s a willing passer. I don’t know if he’s a good passer, but he’s a very willing passer, which is rare, especially with this team. We’re a dribbling team that can’t dribble.”
But then Culver said he noticed the position of the defender between him and the basket some five feet away.
“He had his [lead] foot up front,” Culver said. “Therefore, when I jabbed, he went the other way. I thought he would cut me off, but he gave me the baseline.”
Culver took the open space, made two dribbles, and came away with a nifty left-handed reverse lay-up on the other side of the rim.
The play, with 5:37 remaining in the game, helped the Mountaineers seal the deal in a 78-68 victory Sunday against Lehigh.
Culver was fouled on the play and he made the free throw to give WVU a 65-59 advantage.
In just his second college game, the 6-foot-10 freshman came up with his first double-double. He finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
He acknowledges the story he’s quickly writing with a nod, a smile and a “Thank you.”
Culver sat out the first game of the season due to general lateness to practices, classes and study halls. Huggins then suspended him indefinitely for the remainder of the fall semester in order to help him adjust to college life and learn responsibility.
Since his return, the Mountaineers have grabbed 36 offensive rebounds against Jacksonville State and Lehigh.
“Rebounding has been big for us and most of it is from that guy right over there,” said West Virginia forward Esa Ahmad, pointing in Culver’s direction.
Culver admits he still has so much to learn. WVU coaches have been working with him to slow down and become patient when he catches the ball.
“Honestly, I feel like, in my eyes, that I have the best coaching staff in the nation,” Culver said. “Coach [Erik] Martin really helped me prepare for this game. We worked on taking my time. My first game, I was speeding up and rushing my shots.”
Culver was 4 of 6 shooting from the field, but a disappointing 3 of 7 from the foul line. As the Mountaineers move into Big 12 play Wednesday against No. 11 Texas Tech, Culver said his focus would be
on rebounds.
“Rebounding comes natural to me,” Culver said. “Coach Huggins is always on me to rebound and go after the ball. That’s a must. I know if I don’t go for the ball, I’m going right back [to the bench] next to Huggs. I’ve either got to get the ball or I’m going out.”
