Fansided

College basketball rankings: 2018-2019 FanSided preseason Top 25

By Cody Williams

DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 19: Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils look on during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 19, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 19: Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils look on during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 19, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
13 of 26
Next
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 23: Sagaba Konate #50 of the West Virginia Mountaineers reacts at the bench during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 23: Sagaba Konate #50 of the West Virginia Mountaineers reacts at the bench during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

. . . West Virginia Mountaineers. 14. team. 2391

  • Last Season: 26-11, Lost in Sweet 16
  • Notable Losses: Jevon Carter, Daxter Miles, Teddy Allen
  • Notable Additions: Derek Culver, Jordan McCabe

There’s no replacement for a player like Jevon Carter for the West Virginia Mountaineers. The now-Memphis Grizzlies guard established himself as one of the faces of college basketball throughout his career, the hard-nosed face of Press Virginia and Bob Huggins’ style of play. With what he contributed both statistically and with his heart and leadership, there is a big void in Morgantown with him gone.

What’s more, the Mountaineers are also losing another combined 19.8 points per game with Daxter Miles gone and Teddy Allen transferring to Wichita State. Thus, Huggins will have a tough time this season in regards to finding the success that he’s had in recent years — or so it would seem. However, it’s in the cards for this team to again be a force that’s hard to contend with.

Not only are we again going to see the trademark pressure of Huggins and this West Virginia team, but they have the pieces to do it. Their success will largely hinge on junior forward Lamont West and senior forward Esa Ahmad making a jump in their performance. Both have shown flashes to this point, but they’ll be expected to lead this season. At the heart of their defense will be big Sagaba Konate, who can be an unstoppable force at center.

Moreover, the Mountaineers will also get a boost from Derek Culver and Jordan McCabe, two top-100 recruits that will slot in and give this team depth. It’s a safe bet to hitch your wagon to Huggins and this year is no different, even with the losses he must contend with.