Byline: Josh Katzowitz Post staff reporter
The West Virginia team from last year, the squad that featured Kevin Pittsnogle and Mike Gansey while earning a Sweet 16 berth, won't be the same unit that walks into Fifth Third Arena today.
Instead, the Mountaineers squad that will face the University of Cincinnati is a young one, a team that plays four freshmen and features two sophomores and only one returning senior starter.
Last year, West Virginia had four senior starters. Now, senior forward Frank Young might be the only familiar face.
But coach John Beilein isn't shocked by the 14-3 Mountaineers' success this season. Even if the team he employs is short on experience.
'I'm not very surprised,' Beilein said. 'I'm asked that question every day. I don't know what it is for me. If it was the opposite, I wouldn't be surprised. I just expect our guys to practice and play hard every day and try to get better every day.'
Young and sophomore forward Joe Alexander have taken those expectations to heart.
The former averaged 7.4 points per game last year, but he's nearly doubled that production this season with 14.4 per contest and he leads the Big East in 3-pointers made per game. Alexander -- who only participated in 10 games last season -- contributes 12.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest.
Young, especially, has impressed Beilein.
'He's been everything I ever could have dreamed of,' Beilein said. 'He's a guy that's gone through the process. He didn't play much as a freshman, and he played very little as a sophomore. Last year, he certainly was a role player on a very good team. He's been everything we've wanted as a leader and a player. I'm confident he's going to give it every day for us.'
Besides, UC coach Mick Cronin isn't buying the talk that this is a young West Virginia squad. You point to four freshmen and two sophomores, and he points to last season's roster.
'They've got players back, and it makes a difference,' Cronin said. 'They've got some guys who played behind good players last year and learned their system. It shows. Alexander is a great example. Everybody's wanting to know where he came from, but he was on their team last year. They have a leader in Young who gives them big baskets. He really steps up and makes shots when they need them the most.'
This year's Mountaineers players, though, have some weaknesses -- perhaps the most obvious is their record on the road. When West Virginia has played in Morgantown this season, it's 10-0. In true road games, the Mountaineers are 1-2, including Big East losses to Notre Dame and Marquette.
Guess what? Today is a true road game for West Virginia.
'You have to be one of the top three or four teams in this league to win on the road in the league,' Beilein said. 'It's something that just doesn't happen. I had heard about our two-game slump, and we had lost to Marquette and Notre Dame, two top 25 teams, on the road.'
UC freshman guard Deonta Vaughn, thus, sees an opportunity for the Bearcats.
'It's important to protect the home court and to get a win,' Vaughn said. 'Hopefully, we'll come in with a lot of energy and be prepared for this game. We're playing at home in front of our fans, and we're going to do everything we can to get a win.'
