Macon breaking out late in season
Perhaps the biggest game changer in West Virginia’s double-overtime win over Texas Tech came from someone unexpected.
Elijah Macon, a junior forward from Columbus, played arguably the best game of his career on Saturday, earning the second double-double of his college career scoring a career-high 17 points and snagging a game-high 12 rebounds.
“That was the Elijah Macon we kind of all expected to see,” head coach Bob Huggins said. “Seventeen points, 12 rebounds is a good night.”
Macon’s performance sparked the Mountaineers and played a pivotal role throughout the game and especially in the second overtime when he grabbed four defensive rebounds.
This impact performance seemed to have come out of nowhere but that has been the story for West Virginia all season. Multiple players this season have had career games and impactful performances out of nowhere such as Beetle Bolden against Oklahoma and Lamont West against Oklahoma State.
Macon’s didn’t have a lot of buildup as the Columbus native had scored 26 points in the past four games combined prior to Saturday’s win.
“I don’t know, I just had crazy energy today,” Macon said. “It came out of nowhere. I was just playing hard.”
This rebound win is a promising not only for West Virginia in terms of gaining back some confidence but also for its big men. Macon’s play shows that he is capable of making significant contributions and has the ability to be a game changer.
As an upperclassman with experience, Macon’s performances and leadership can continue to help pave the way for success and the progression of other big men such as freshman Sagaba Konate, who has become a defensive force for the Mountaineers.
“I can’t say enough good things about Elijah,” Huggins said. “The biggest thing is his attitude has been terrific. He listens, he’s trying to do what we ask him to do. He’s been great with trying to help Sags understand a little better.”
West Virginia’s big men will play a crucial role coming down the final stretch of the regular season and in tournament time.
Another thing to point out is that Macon also played a vital role in helping West Virginia truly finish off a game which is crucial from here on out. The team now has the stamina and experience of winning a close game as well as the ability to respond to adversity which is a confidence booster, considering what occurred this past Monday night in Lawrence.
With players like Macon starting to come into their zone, playing at the level they’re capable of, allows the team to feed off of that energy and success, allowing more team confidence and team effort wins like Saturday’s.
The win on Saturday couldn’t have played out any better for West Virginia. As a team that has blown a few big leads this season, to be put up against that and then respond with a close, clutch win just may be what the Mountaineers needed for that spark to make a run come tournament time.