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A Little Know-Howe: Offseason for WVU Basketball is Proving to be Anything but an Inactive Period

By Brad Howe on May 05, 2018 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

For WVU, it’s been a busy week. 
 
IN - Jermaine Haley. A 6-7 (listed), 6-9 (his own words) point guard from Canada by way of Odessa (TX) College and New Mexico State.  
 
OUT - Teddy Allen. A 6-6 scorer from Arizona by way of Omaha, Nebraska.
 
Was it a good ‘trade?’ Only time will tell. 
 
Allen always felt like an odd fit for Press Virginia. He arrived with a reputation as a guy who could score, but would need extensive work on the defensive end. That ability to score was extremely valuable at the start of the Big 12 conference season. 
 
Two rare off games for Jevon Carter at Oklahoma State and at Kansas State left WVU looking for a way to score points. Enter Allen. Against the Cowboys, Allen put up 15 points in just 16 minutes of game action as WVU pulled out the 85-79 win after trailing by seven at the half. 
 
Just three days later in Manhattan, Allen bailed out WVU again. 
 
West Virginia needed scoring as Carter was just one of seven from the floor and finished with just three points (his lowest output of the season). Teddy to the rescue. This time, Allen went for 22 points in just 19 minutes of action. 
 
Three days, two games, 37 points in 35 minutes of game action. Without Allen, I’m not sure WVU wins those two games. 
 
It was up and down from there for Allen. He continued his hot streak against Oklahoma on January 6, going for 20 points in 24 minutes.
 
Allen only reached double figures four times in the remaining 22 games. He had nine games in which he didn’t score during that stretch.
 
While Allen and Haley traded roster spots this week, they don’t play the same position and their styles of play aren’t remotely close. Haley described himself as a “pass first, pass second” point guard. For a team that struggled to move the ball offensively last season, Haley could be a welcome addition to the lineup. 
 
It was no secret West Virginia needed some size in the back court. They got it in Haley who is listed at 6'7, but said on Sportsline this week that he is closer to 6-9.  Add in the fact that Haley was named his junior college conference’s co-defensive player of the year and you can see why fans are excited to see what he will bring to the floor next season. 
 
You can hear our full Sportsline interview with Haley HERE. *The interview begins at the 31:00 mark
 
It’s been a busy week in the WVU basketball office this week and it may continue. West Virginia is still recruiting for next season. 
 
Emmitt Matthews, a former UConn commit, visited Morgantown this week and would add another 6'7 versatile player for WVU should he decide to choose the Mountaineers. Matthews has a reputation as a player that can shoot it and play anywhere from a two (shooting guard) to a stretch-four.Much like Haley, Matthews has been described as a guy that can potentially guard four positions as well. 
 
The calendar says it’s the off season for WVU basketball. The roster moves suggest there is no off season. 
 
Editor's Note: Photos of Teddy Allen by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.

 


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