The West Virginia basketball program cannot catch a break.
A tumultuous offseason, thanks to the firing of longtime head coach Bob Huggins, resulted in the Mountaineers coming into the season with a new-look roster and a lot to prove.
However, before the season even began, expected starting point guard Kerr Kriisa was hit with a nine-game suspension for impermissible benefits received while at Arizona, combo guard Jose Perez left the program due to squabbles over academic issues, and newcomers Raequan Battle and Noah Farrakhan were not granted waivers as two-time transfers.
Now Kriisa is finally back, dropping 20 points with seven assists against UMass on Saturday, while Farrakhan returned and scored 15 off the bench, thanks to the temporary restraining order that granted all two-time transfers immediate eligibility.
Even though the Mountaineers lost to UMass, it finally looked like things were moving in the right direction – until the team announced on Monday that starting center Jesse Edwards suffered a fractured wrist and will be out for roughly four weeks.
Fifth-year center Jesse Edwards will miss approximately four weeks due to a fractured right wrist.https://t.co/XsafXNTxLs
— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) December 18, 2023
Edwards has been one of the few bright spots for West Virginia this season, averaging 14.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 10 games.
The former Syracuse grad transfer is among the most prolific shot blockers in the country and to not have him entering Big 12 conference play is a huge blow to a team that finally gained key pieces in the backcourt in Kriisa and Farrakhan, with Battle expected to return this week as well.
Interim head coach Josh Eilert will now have to find a solution to a thin frontcourt, with games against Radford (12/20) and Toledo (12/23) on deck before hosting Ohio State on 12/30 and then starting Big 12 play on the road at Houston on January 6.