A popular 'sport' this time of year is speculation about roster turnover in the men's basketball program. Will everyone be back? Will there be any transfers? 

 

"Why is Bob Huggins still actively recruiting guys if the roster is filled?" 

 

We hear that question a lot in the off season. A quick look at the roster tells you there are nine guys with eligibility remaining. Add in five incoming players in Teddy Allen, Derek Culver, Brandon Knapper, Wesley Harris and D'Angelo Hunter and you can see WVU is one over the scholarship limit of 13.

 

While no formal announcement has been made regarding the one player who will not be returning, Jevon Carter's mom may have provided some insight via a recent Facebook post.

 

It read in part as follows:

 

"And Macon decided even tho (sic) he was eligible to play ball another year he did not want to be a student another year so he accepted the degree that he earned and graduated and will not be returning next season just to play basketball."

 

Now this isn't exactly breaking news. There have been whispers for weeks that Macon would be leaving. 

 

If true, it would close the book on a player who seemed to have finally put it together on the court.

 

It feels as if we have been talking about Macon for a decade. First as a recruit coming out of Ohio and then of course, for the past four seasons that saw him average five points and three rebounds in 103 games played.

 

Macon's career may be remembered by many as one where the results never quite matched the potential. 

 

The exception? The final month of last season. Starting with the game versus Texas Tech on February 18 when Macon put up 17 points and 12 rebounds through March 18 when he scored 11 points against Notre Dame in the NCAA tournament, he looked like a different player.

 

He was athletic, brought great energy when he was on the floor and produced more than at any other point in his career. 

He was a legitimate offensive option for the team in that stretch. He developed a little turnaround jumper from the block that helped him reach double figures in points in six of those 10 games.

 

Macon also recorded double figure rebounds in three of those games down the stretch. It looked as though he had finally emerged as a key piece of a very good West Virginia team.

 

It would have been fun to see if he could have carried that success into next year.

 

Even if Macon departs, the cupboard isn't exactly bare at the five position next season.

 

Sagaba Konate showed tremendous promise in his 11 minutes per game last year. If four star recruit, Derek Culver makes it to campus he will provide some depth. 

 

But, there is no question, having an experienced, improving player like Macon on the roster as well, would have made that position one of great strength for West Virginia. 

 

If the Gonzaga game in the NCAA tournament was the last we see of Elijah Macon in a West Virginia uniform, then I wish him the best of luck.  

 

As the saying goes, Once a Mountaineer, Always a Mountaineer. 

 

Editor's Note: Photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.