Konate knows his role

True freshman big man Sagaba Konate doesn’t need any reminders about his role on the West Virginia basketball team, he has it down pat.

“Play defense and rebound. I have to protect the basket and rebound the ball,” he said.

How about on the offensive end?

“Rebound the ball,” he reiterated.

The Mali native has often done that much better than he hasn’t during the course of his first 15 games, but his best performance to date likely came against TCU.

Against the Horned Frogs, Konate scored 13 points while grabbing 8 rebounds and blocking 3 shots during 15 minutes of action.

But it came as no surprise to his teammates.

“That’s just Sags being Sags,” junior Jevon Carter said. “I feel like he’s been playing like that all year.”

One of those blocks proved to be a difference making effort. With TCU mounting a comeback trailing 59-57 after the Mountaineers led by double digits at halftime, the Horned Frogs had a layup opportunity to tie the game when Konate made a phenomenal block that not only prevented the basket but gave the ball back to the Mountaineers.

The freshman would then finish on the other end of the floor and get fouled to push the lead back out to five points putting the momentum back on the side of West Virginia.

“He just continues to get better and better. He really listens, he’s trying to understand,” head coach Bob Huggins said. “I thought the two blocks he made, the one in particular, really got us back in the game and got the crowd going.”

With both redshirt junior Elijah Macon hobbled by a knee injury and senior Brandon Watkins bothered by an ankle injury, Konate has been called upon for more minutes in recent games.

Over the last three, Konate has played an average of 13-minutes per game but has been efficient with that time. In those three Big 12 Conference games, Konate is averaging 10.3 points, 5 rebounds and a block per game serving as a key piece off the bench on both ends of the floor.

And that is only scratching the surface of what he could become eventually as Konate currently is still finding his way on both ends of the floor.

“Until he is comfortable with what rotations to make and where he needs to be he is going to slow himself down by overthinking things,” Huggins said. “I think he can do a lot better.”

Right now when his number is called, Konate understands that means hustle to play defense and rebound on both ends of the court.

He understands that his number is not going to be called for set plays at this point in his career, but if he continues to work hard in practice his teammates will find him.

At this point he even admits that the game has yet to slow down for him which is a scary thought for those having to defend the 6-foot-9, 250-pounder as he matures.

“I just have to focus in on what to do playing defense and the offense will follow,” he said. “I just have to go out and rebound and try to make a big play.”