By: Bryan Shepherd, Sports Information Director
Game Preview: West Virginia State vs. West Virginia Wesleyan
Date/Time: January 20, 2025, at 7:30 PM (Rescheduled from January 18)
Location: Walker Convocation Center, Institute, WV
Game Type: Mountain East Men's Basketball
Team Records and Standings
- West Virginia State (WVSU): 6-8 overall, 3-5 in the Mountain East Conference (MEC), 8th in conference standings.
- West Virginia Wesleyan (WVWC): 3-11 overall, 1-7 in MEC, 11th in conference standings.
Team Insights
West Virginia State (WVSU)
- Key Players:
- Jaedaun Slack: Team leader with 16.5 points per game (PPG) and .824 free-throw percentage (FT%).
- Miguel Martinez: 14.1 PPG, team-high 6.3 rebounds per game (RPG), .400 three-point percentage.
- Arthur Cox: 11.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, .510 field-goal percentage.
- Strengths:
- High-scoring offense averaging 84.6 points per game.
- Effective rebounding with 39.1 RPG.
- Challenges:
- Turnover struggles, averaging 14.8 per game.
- Defensive inconsistency, allowing opponents 84.9 points per game.
West Virginia Wesleyan (WVWC)
- Key Players:
- Alex Mirhosseini: Leading scorer with 16.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, .388 FG%, and 40 made three-pointers at .440%.
- Michael Batchelor: Second-leading scorer with 13.9 PPG, 2.3 RPG, and .386 three-point percentage.
- Alexander Gray: Top rebounder with 6.2 RPG and third in scoring with 7.1 PPG.
- Strengths:
- Strong three-point shooting team with a .375 percentage.
- Solid free-throw accuracy, converting 71.9% of attempts.
- Challenges:
- Rebounding struggles, averaging 31.7 RPG compared to opponents' 34.5.
- High turnover rate at 15.7 per game.
Recent Performance
WVSU Last 5 Games
- January 15, 2025: Lost to Davis & Elkins, 79-80.
- January 11, 2025: Lost to Point Park, 75-76.
- January 8, 2025: Defeated Salem (WV), 82-71.
- January 2, 2025: Lost to Gannon, 81-97.
- December 17, 2024: Lost to Bluefield State, 106-112.
WVWC Last 5 Games
- January 15, 2025: Lost to Charleston (WV), 63-75.
- January 11, 2025: Lost to Glenville State, 71-89.
- January 8, 2025: Defeated Concord, 68-65.
- January 2, 2025: Lost to Frostburg State, 60-80.
- December 17, 2024: Lost to Wheeling, 52-64.
Head-to-Head Matchup History
- Overall Record: WVSU leads the series 27-15.
- Current Streak: WVSU has won 13 consecutive games against WVWC.
- Largest Margin of Victory: WVSU defeated WVWC 118-71 on February 24, 2024.
- Smallest Margin of Victory: WVSU won 85-84 on January 11, 2020.
- Last Meeting: WVSU defeated WVWC 118-71 on February 24, 2024.
- Home Record: WVSU is 8-4 against WVWC at home.
- Conference Record: WVSU holds a 14-10 edge in MEC games.
- Notable Games:
- December 3, 2011: WVWC won 55-73 in Buckhannon, WV.
- February 24, 2024: WVSU secured a dominating 118-71 victory in Institute, WV.
- February 28, 2017: WVSU won 110-76 on a neutral court in Charleston, WV.
Coaching Matchup
West Virginia State (WVSU) Head Coach: Bryan Poore
- Alma Mater: West Virginia State - 1987
- Coaching Summary:
- Charleston (WV): 1 season, 12-14 record (.462 win percentage).
- West Virginia State: 26 seasons, 421-320 record (.568 win percentage).
- Overall Career: 27 seasons, 433-334 record (.565 win percentage).
West Virginia Wesleyan (WVWC) Head Coach: Derek Sloan
- Alma Mater: Cleveland State - 2018
- Coaching Summary:
- West Virginia Wesleyan: 4 seasons, 9-89 record (.092 win percentage).
- 2021-22: 2-26 record (.071 win percentage).
- 2022-23: 2-25 record (.074 win percentage).
- 2023-24: 2-26 record (.071 win percentage).
- 2024-25: 3-12 record (.200 win percentage).
Game Outlook
This Mountain East Conference matchup features two teams aiming to improve their standings. WVSU, with its potent offense and rebounding edge, will look to take advantage of its home-court advantage. WVWC's three-point shooting and free-throw efficiency could play a significant role in keeping the game competitive. Key performances from leaders Jae Slack and Alex Mirhosseini will likely determine the outcome of this pivotal conference game.
Catch the action this Saturday at the Walker Convocation Center!
