The WVU men’s basketball team has been very impressive thus far compared to recent seasons. They have been dominating teams with their full-court press and their record shows it.

You didn’t see the Mountaineers show such strong press in the past. Head Coach Bob Huggins knew he had to make some sort of changes if the Mountaineers were going to compete in the Big 12 and for a chance to make the NCAA tournament, something they haven’t done since 2012.

The return of Juwan Staten was the key to success for WVU heading into the season, as we all thought he was headed for the NBA Draft. However, Staten changed his mind and decided to play another year in Morgantown and it was the right decision for the most part. He’s averaging the most points per game on the team with 14.3. Staten is also averaging over 30 minutes a game, which is the most for a WVU player so far this season. Devin Williams is right behind him averaging 11 points a game and 8 rebounds. He has been dominant for the Mountaineers under the boards and in the paint.

Nathan Adrian has been a disappointment for WVU this season considering he’s on a scholarship. He’s only averaging just over 3 points a game and hasn’t been a factor for West Virginia at all. His shooting from beyond the arc has been awful. He is someone who needs to step up and play better if the Mountaineers are going to make a run in the NCAA tournament. They have a good team this year as most people like to refer to them as “Press Virginia.”

The Big 12 is clearly the best conference in college basketball this season. The only other conference you can put in the same boat as the Big 12 is the ACC, but Syracuse isn’t good this year and isn’t even qualified to make the tournament in March.

Getting swept by Iowa State was a tough one to swallow for WVU but they can bounce back against the Cyclones in the Big 12 tournament. It should be a great set of games to watch this year once the tournament gets under way in March. Expect the Big 12 to do damage in the NCAA tournament. At least 7 out of the 10 teams in that conference should make it.