Huggins expects all signees on board

Two Class of 2013 signees are enrolled and Bob Huggins said he expects the remaining four to qualify by fall semester.

SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — Coach Bob Huggins said he anticipates all six of West Virginia’s 2013 signees to be enrolled by fall semester, though only two players are currently in school.

During an hourlong set with MetroNews “Sportsline” on Tuesday night, Huggins sounded confident the forward-laden recruiting class would arrive intact, an infusion of talent made crucial as WVU revamps its roster after last season’s 13-19 finish.

Nate Adrian and Devin Williams have been on campus for several weeks, and Brandon Watkins is expected to begin classes Monday when the second session of summer school opens. Meanwhile, Remi Dibo and Jonathan Holton are reportedly finalizing their necessary junior college credits, and WVU has yet to confirm that Elijah Macon achieved his qualifying standardized test scores.

During the summer, coaches are allowed two hours of practice time per week with players. Huggins said that’s just enough time to cover the basics as the staff has Adrian and Williams.

“We’re trying to make sure we clean up some fundamental things, make sure their footwork is good, and that they pass it to guys on their own team,” he said.

Huggins discussed various aspects of the team during Tuesday night’s show.

On the 6-foot-8 freshman Williams:
“I think he makes an immediate impact, because he really rebounds the basketball. He very well could be our leading rebounder. He pursues the ball, he’s got great hands, and he creates space for himself.

“I think most of the scouting services thought Devin Williams was as good a high school rebounder as there was in the country. And the thing that we’ve been impressed with is that he can step out to 15, 17 feet and shoot the ball.”

On Adrian, the 6-8 Morgantown High product:
“He will pick-and-fade and (defenders) are going to have to go with him because he can make shots. If we can get him where he plays small forward, that gives us some good size and length there.”

On 6-3 sophomore Eron Harris working at point guard:
“Eron realizes if he has a future in basketball it’s never going to be at two-guard because he’s too small. So he’s going to have to be a point guard. He also thinks he can show more leadership from that position. And for us, playing him at point puts another guy who can make shots on the floor.”

“The biggest thing all point guards go through is decision-making. A good point guard is at least 2-to-1 on assist-to-turnover ratio and a real good one is 3-to-1, and we didn’t have anyone close to that a year ago.”

On senior center Aaric Murray’s goals for the offseason:
“Be more consistent with his work ethic and be more consistent with his approach to the way he plays the game.”





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