2010 Final Four Previews: West Virginia Breakdown

Over the next two days, we will be taking a team-by-team look at the Final Four.

WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

Star: As good as Joe Mazzulla was on Saturday, the star of this West Virginia team is Da'Sean Butler, as he kind of embodies what they are all about. Butler isn't flashy. He isn't a great athlete, he doesn't handle the ball all that well, and his jumper is pretty ugly. But it all works, he gets the job done. And Butler can really do it all; he's one of those guys that isn't great at any one thing, but is pretty good at just about everything. He can defend multiple positions, he can hit a three, he can slash to the rim, and he can get on the boards. Oh, and something about game-winning shots?

Da'Sean Butler has been as clutch as any player in the country this season.
(photo credit: Washington Post)

Unheralded Hero: The obvious answer is Joe Mazzulla, but Mazzulla had to go and have an awesome game on Saturday, scoring 17 points against Kentucky and winning the East Region MOP. The other answer is Wellington Smith. Of West Virginia's four starting forwards, Smith is the one that gets the least fanfare. Smith is a versatile forward, and given his girth he usually ends up defending an opponent's biggest player with the Eers decide to go man. He rebounds the ball, especially on the offensive end of the floor. But perhaps his most valuable skill is the ability to knock down a three. Since he often is guarded an opponent's big man, he draws the defender out to the perimeter, which helps to open up the paint.

How they got here: After smoking Morgan State in the opening round of the tournament, West Virginia got 19 first half points from Da'Sean Butler as the Mounties were able to dictate tempo and avoid turnovers in a win over Missouri. WVU pulled away from Washington in the second half of their Sweet 16 game, getting 18 points and 8 boards from Kevin Smith. Against Kentucky in the Elie 8, West Virginia hit eight threes and no twos in the first half, but still found themselves in the lead. The Eers, sparked by Joe Mazzulla, would go on a big second half run to take a 16 point lead and hold on for the win.

Three reasons they can win it all:

1. Rebounding: In a Final Four based around rebounding, West Virginia may very well be the best rebounding team left. Why? Because they have to get to the offensive glass if they are going to win. This isn't a team loaded with offensive superstars. There are times when the Mounties downright struggle to score and their best offensive becomes taking a shot and chasing a rebound. And they are good at it. WVU has four guy on the floor at any given time that are 6'7"-6'9", physical, athletic, and that really chase the ball.
   


2. They don't have to play just zone: I don't think West Virginia is going to be able to use that 1-3-1 defense against Duke. The Blue Devils just have too many good perimeter players and too many good shooters. The good news? West Virginia isn't a zone team. Up until recently, the Eers were known for their man-to-man defense. The one was a wrinkle that Huggins put in prior to a game earlier in the season, and it was effective enough to stick.
   


3. The Da'Sean Butler effect: I have been high on Butler since his sophomore season with WVU. The kid plays hard, plays smart, and has turned into arguably the best clutch shooter in the country. He hit those six game-winners. He scored 19 first half points against Missouri as the Tigers were trying to run away from WVU. He hit four straight threes to kickstart the Eers against Kentucky. Oh, and he surprises old Mountaineer fans in the hospital.
   

Three reasons they won't win it all:

1. They aren't hitting ten threes again: This is not a great shooting team. They shoot just 33% from deep, and usually make about six per game. They don't win that Kentucky game if they don't hit ten threes. Granted, the Wildcats are a different kind of team defensively that Duke is, but Duke may actually be better. They excel in the half court not at forcing turnovers or blocking shots, but simply at making you take the toughest shot they can. West Virginia is a team that can struggle on the offensive end at times, especially against good, disciplined defensive teams.
   


2. How many more tricks does Joe Mazzulla have left up his sleeve?: In 2008's second round, Joe Mazzulla had 13 points, 11 boards, and 8 assists as West Virginia knocked off Duke as a seven seed. On Saturday, Mazzulla had 17 points, including 14 in the second half, as he led WVU to a 73-66 upset of the Wildcats. Does he have anything left? Will he be able to put on his show again? Keep in mind, Duke's guards are much more fundamental on the defensive end, and Mazzulla is playing with one shoulder. And if Truck Bryant is unable to play, Mazzulla becomes that much more important against.
   


3. Devin Ebanks is simply not a great player: Yes, he may one day be an NBA all-star, but right now he really has no clue what he's doing. Twice in the last month he has obliterated plays in the final seconds by being unaware of how much time was left. He can't really dribble, he can't really shoot, and he doesn't have much in the way of a back to the basket game. While he may still end up with 12 points, 6 boards, and a handful of assists, steals, and/or blocks, he is not a guy you want to rely on to get you consistent anything.