West Virginia, Eilert looks to rebuild with strong foundation

The real challenge for West Virginia head coach Josh Eilert has now begun.

Eilert, who was tabbed in an interim role to lead the program following the resignation of legendary head coach Bob Huggins, now has the task of trying to make the most of this season. That starts with reconstructing the roster.

The roster has certainly undergone some change in the wake of the off-season turmoil with four players already committing to other programs after entering the transfer portal and two others currently exploring their options.

That isn’t an indictment on Eilert in any means, as these players clearly had options and wanted to explore them putting the program in a tough spot.

Gone from the roster are forward Tre Mitchell (Kentucky), guard Joe Toussaint (Texas Tech), forward Mohamed Wague (Alabama) and forward James Okonkwo (North Carolina). Each of those players became priorities for other teams in the transfer portal given the time of the year and their skill sets. It’s a massive ding to the overall depth of the roster and leaves some holes that absolutely need filled with little time to do it.

Another guard in Jose Perez is also exploring his options right now and while he have maintained that he is open to a return the more time that passes and the more schools that get involved the less likely that seems.

So, let’s operate with what we do know for now.

West Virginia has gotten commitments to remain with the team from the key off-season additions in center Jesse Edwards, point guard Kerr Kriisa and guard RaeQuan Battle. Others have also indicated they will be remaining with the program such as Josiah Harris.

That is a solid base to build around but if none of the remaining players that are in the portal return the Mountaineers will be down to only eight scholarship players which is far from ideal. The transfer portal hasn’t closed though and the program has already begun the work of trying to restructure things.

While there isn’t the never-ending buffet that was open during the initial transfer portal window there are still plenty of options that remain to sort through when trying to rebuild the roster.

West Virginia has made contact with players such as point guard Jahvon Quinerly from Alabama who is coming off a season where he averaged 8.7 points and 3.6 assists as well as Memphis big man Malcom Dandridge who averaged 5.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Both are graduate transfers that will have one year left and would be veteran pieces to add to the overall roster build.

Another name to consider is Florida State guard Jeremiah Bembry who would have all four years of eligibility remaining but did not appear in any games last season due to injuries. He is set to take an official visit to Morgantown and would be a good step in the right direction with an upside add.

It remains to be seen what this final roster will look like but for now those that follow the program must rally around those that do remain and look ahead at what could come next.

West Virginia will head to Italy later this month and the work is still underway to understand what will be the final group that the Mountaineers will roll out with this season.

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