Following West Virginia University’s (WVU) impressive win over Robert Morris, head coach Darian DeVries addressed the media, offering insights into his team’s performance, areas for improvement, and the overall outlook moving forward. DeVries, who has built a reputation for his strategic approach and ability to motivate his players, was candid in his analysis.
DeVries opened his remarks by praising the team for its effort and commitment on both ends of the floor. He acknowledged the solid performance, particularly in the second half, where WVU demonstrated their depth and ability to adjust to Robert Morris’ defensive schemes. “We’re happy with the result today. Our guys came out focused and executed what we talked about before the game,” DeVries said. “I think we had a strong start, and while there were some lapses in the first half, we were able to regroup and really control the game in the second half.”
The coach also took a moment to address the team’s defensive performance, which was one of the key factors in the victory. Despite allowing a few stretches of strong play from Robert Morris, the Mountaineers tightened up their defense as the game went on. DeVries highlighted the importance of maintaining pressure on the ball and staying disciplined in their rotations. “We’re still working to get to where we want to be defensively. There are still things we need to clean up, but the guys did a good job of staying with the game plan. Robert Morris has some capable players, and they were able to get some good looks, but we adjusted well in the second half,” he explained.
Offensively, DeVries pointed to the team’s ability to share the ball and take advantage of fast-break opportunities. WVU registered a high number of assists, demonstrating an unselfish approach to offense. He specifically mentioned the strong play of the team’s guards, who were key in creating open shots and setting up scoring opportunities for their teammates. “Our ball movement was much better in the second half,” DeVries noted. “We did a good job of not settling for bad shots and found ways to create good looks for each other.”
Despite the positive outcome, DeVries was not content with every aspect of the team’s performance. He acknowledged that there were areas to improve, particularly in consistency. “We had stretches where we let our intensity drop, and that’s something we need to be more mindful of moving forward,” DeVries stated. “We can’t afford to take plays off, especially as we get into tougher matchups.”
On individual performances, DeVries gave special mention to the contributions of several players who had standout moments. He commended the leadership shown by the upperclassmen, as well as the promising performances from some of the younger players. “It’s great to see some of our younger guys step up and contribute. We need that depth, especially when the competition gets tougher,” he said.
Looking ahead, DeVries emphasized the importance of continuing to develop as a team, both mentally and physically. “There’s still a lot of basketball to be played. We’ve got to stay focused on improving every day. Our guys have the talent, but we need to remain hungry and make sure we’re getting better each time we step on the floor.”
In conclusion, DeVries expressed cautious optimism, acknowledging that while the victory over Robert Morris was a solid step forward, there was much work left to do. “We’re not satisfied with just this win. We have bigger goals, and we’ll take this as a learning experience to keep building on.” With that, he left the impression that WVU’s season was just beginning, and the best was yet to come.
