Prior to the season, expectations surrounding West Virginia’s basketball program were seen in the most glamorous light. Very few can realistically say they the Mountaineers having success this season; at least not as much as they’ve had thus far, being ranked No. 16 in the country after compiling a 15-2 record. T
hat’s unless, of course, you consider Bob Huggins, who promised the fans they would never have another season like they did last season. But when you consider the success West Virginia has had through the first half of the season, it’s very arguable that even with the team being led by Juwan Staten, Devin Williams has been the key component to their good fortunes.
“Devin was good, I want him to be great,” Huggins said. “He was good, but Devin can be so much better and that’s what I want for him. Sometimes he doesn’t understand why I’m upset with him, but I’m upset with him because I know how good he can be.”
Huggins said this after a 91-65 blowout win over George Mason, in which Williams had recorded his third-straight double-double of the season, which just goes to show the lofty expectations that were placed upon the sophomore forward this season.
But it’s not just his usual double-figure scoring numbers – which has led to an average of 11 per game – or his resurgence of recent double-doubles that’s made him second in the conference in the category, behind only Baylor’s Rico Gathers.
As the only true interior force for the Mountaineers, Williams’ dominance in the paint is crucial to the success of the guard-based offense Huggins has shown this season. From a rebounding standpoint, Williams has been responsible for 18.9 percent of West Virginia’s total rebounding percentage, and a whopping 28.7 percent of their defensive boards, per sports-reference.com.
Just for reference, compare those numbers to that of the most highly-coveted big man in the upcoming draft, whose also infused in a guard-dominated offense, with Duke’s Jahlil Okafor being responsible for 18.6 percent of his team’s total boards, and 20.4 of Duke’s defensive rebounds.
Williams has also been an affected facilitator from the paint with 1.3 assists per game, which may not seem like much, but his efforts have made up for 10.4 percent of West Virginia’s total assists percentage.
He’s been involved in 25.4 percent of plays while he’s on the court, and his impressive contributions during his time have led to Williams accumulating a win share of .190 per 40 minutes, which is nearly double the average of .100.
Although they can be interesting and informative, numbers and statistics can’t tell the entire story.
They won’t tell you how Williams has grown into a leader on the court, how his passion and intensity can be seen quite consistently throughout the game, how he’s bought in to Huggins’ full-court press system and never takes plays off, or how he’s willed the Mountaineers in winning situations in key moments this season.
The numbers can’t tell you just how meaningful Williams is to the Mountaineers’ success to this point, but it’s something you simply can’t ignore anytime to watch this exciting and competitive group take the floor.
All stats courtesy of sports-reference.com