In preparation for the 2024-25 season, West Virginia University (WVU) women’s basketball head coach Mark Kellogg has unveiled significant changes to the team’s offensive system, aimed at enhancing both the efficiency and versatility of the Mountaineers’ scoring approach. Kellogg, who took over the program in 2022, has spent his early tenure at WVU working to establish a balanced, up-tempo offense, but with his new tweaks, he is positioning the team to be even more dynamic and difficult to defend.
One of the primary modifications is the increased emphasis on ball movement and spacing. Historically, WVU has relied on a more traditional offensive set with a strong focus on post play, but Kellogg’s 2024-25 system shifts toward a more perimeter-oriented attack. By spreading the floor and utilizing multiple shooters, the Mountaineers will look to create open driving lanes for guards and wings, which will also open up opportunities for inside scoring. The goal, Kellogg explained, is to take advantage of the increasing skill level across the roster, with more players capable of shooting from deep, as well as improving the team’s overall pace in transition.
In the past, WVU’s offensive structure was somewhat predictable, often leaning heavily on mid-range jumpers and post-up plays. However, Kellogg’s new system introduces a more fluid offensive philosophy with a greater focus on the three-point shot and high ball screens. The Mountaineers will utilize a “motion offense” with a constant flow of off-the-ball movement and player rotations to create mismatches. By pushing the tempo and engaging in quicker ball movement, Kellogg is hoping to generate open shots early in the shot clock, a shift from the more deliberate, half-court offenses that dominated under previous coaching regimes.
Kellogg’s revamped offense also integrates more pick-and-roll action, specifically designed to exploit the athleticism and skill sets of the team’s players. This tactic, often run by both guards and forwards, will put pressure on opposing defenses to defend both on the perimeter and inside the paint. Players like point guard JJ Hines and forward Karli McCullar, who can stretch the floor and make plays off the bounce, are expected to thrive in this system. By creating these offensive options, Kellogg is building an offense that can flow freely between multiple types of attack, depending on the defense they face.
Additionally, Kellogg has placed a heavy focus on improving the team’s transition game. With an increased emphasis on pushing the ball after a rebound or turnover, the Mountaineers will look to catch opponents off guard and score quick, easy baskets before the defense can set up. This adjustment reflects a broader trend in women’s college basketball toward faster-paced games, and it’s a direct response to the increasing athleticism in the game.
While the emphasis on offense is clear, Kellogg has also ensured that the team’s defensive strategies complement the new offensive philosophy. A more aggressive defense, including full-court presses and trapping, will provide more fast-break opportunities, aligning perfectly with the quicker offensive tempo. The defense will force opponents into turnovers, which in turn will fuel the Mountaineers’ up-tempo attack, creating a cycle of pressure on both ends of the court.
Ultimately, Kellogg’s goal with these offensive modifications is to give his team the versatility to attack in multiple ways, keeping opponents off balance and creating an offense that is more difficult to predict and defend. With a deeper, more skilled roster at his disposal, Kellogg’s system aims to increase scoring opportunities while emphasizing pace, spacing, and unselfish ball movement. If successful, these changes could help WVU remain competitive in the highly competitive Big 12 Conference, while also positioning the Mountaineers for deeper runs in postseason play.
