It may be surprising to many, but West Virginia University can now proudly claim to have two of the top 10 returning scorers in college basketball for the upcoming season. This is a significant accomplishment and has the potential to be a game-changer for the team, particularly in light of the defensive strategy that has been a trademark of their playing style in the past.
Under the leadership of Bob Huggins, the primary focus was on defense, with the concept being to generate offense through defensive plays. While Huggins’ teams were not lacking in scoring ability, the approach centered more on utilizing defensive tactics to create scoring opportunities. However, with the recent developments and the appointment of Darian DeVries as the head coach, there appears to be a shift towards a more aggressive, scoring-oriented style of play.
The recruiting efforts of DeVries have yielded impressive results, with the addition of his son, Tucker DeVries, and Jayden Stone, who have emerged as top scorers in their previous teams. Tucker DeVries, who achieved an impressive average of 21.1 points per game with a field-goal percentage of 50.8% at Drake, is ranked third among returning scorers. Similarly, Jayden Stone, with an average of 20.8 points per game at Detroit Mercy, has secured the eighth spot among returning scorers, according to 247 Sports.
With these remarkable additions to the team, there is now the potential for West Virginia University to achieve something that has not been seen in over two decades. The last player from WVU to average 20 points per game was Drew Schifino in 2003, with the exception of Kevin Jones, who achieved an average of 19.9 points under Huggins in 2012. However, the addition of Tucker DeVries and Jayden Stone brings a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season.
The significance of this accomplishment is underscored by the fact that most of the top returning scorers are guards, highlighting the evolved dynamics of NCAA basketball and the changing roles of players on the court. It is noteworthy that eight of the listed players are transfers, signaling a potential shift in the landscape of college basketball and raising questions about how their scoring abilities will fare in power leagues such as the Big Ten, SEC, ACC, and Big 12.
Nevertheless, the prospect of WVU having two standout scorers has the potential to redefine the team’s offensive capabilities and herald a new era of scoring prowess. While previous seasons have seen individual players reaching impressive scoring milestones, the combination of Tucker DeVries and Jayden Stone presents an exciting opportunity for the team to leverage the strengths of both players and work towards a more balanced and impactful offensive game.
This development marks a significant turning point for West Virginia University, and if harnessed effectively, it could pave the way for a highly successful and competitive basketball season. With the right strategies in place, the “Dynamic Duo” of Tucker DeVries and Jayden Stone has the potential to elevate the team to new heights and bring a fresh new energy to the court. Exciting times lie ahead for WVU, and fans can eagerly anticipate a thrilling season of college basketball.