Game Preview: West Virginia State vs. Wheeling

Date/Time: Feb 1, 2025 - 4:00 PM

Location: Walker Convocation Center - Institute, WV

Game Type: Mountain East Men's Basketball
 

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Team Records and Standings

WVSU: 9-9 Overall, 6-6 Conference (5th in MEC)
WHE: 7-12 Overall, 2-9 Conference (10th in MEC)
 

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Recent Performance

WVSU Last 5 Games

• 1/29/2025: at #14 West Liberty (L, 76,118)
• 1/25/2025: Charleston (WV) (W, 67-65)
• 1/22/2025: at Glenville State (W, 92-82)
• 1/20/2025: WV Wesleyan (W, 101-83)
• 1/15/2025: at Davis & Elkins (L, 79-80)

WHE Last 5 Games

• 1/29/2025: Charleston (WV) (W, 77-70)
• 1/25/2025: West Liberty (L, 92-99)
• 1/22/2025: at Salem (L, 95-110)
• 1/18/2025: at Concord (L, 76-105)
• 1/15/2025: Glenville State (L, 72-88)

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Head-to-Head History: WVSU vs. Wheeling

Overall Record: 22-20
Current Streak: W9
Largest Margin of Victory: 2/4/2023 - WVSU 111, WHE 77 (34 Points)
Smallest Margin of Victory: 12/1/2012 - WVSU 77, WHE 76 (1 Point)
Last Meeting: 12/11/2024 - WVSU 85, WHE 83 (Wheeling, WV)
Home Record: 13-6
Conference Record: 21-16

Recent Matchups

• 12/11/2024: WVSU 85, WHE 83 (at Wheeling)
• 2/3/2024: WVSU 86, WHE 78 (at Wheeling)
• 12/6/2023: WVSU 96, WHE 89 (at WVSU)
• 2/4/2023: WVSU: 111, WHE 77 (at Wheeling)
• 12/7/2022: WVSU 92, WHE 84 (at WVSU)

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Team Insights

West Virginia State (WVSU)

Key Players:

• Jae Slack – 8th in MEC in scoring (17.2 PPG), 8th in FG% (44.9%), and 5th in FT% (82.4%).
• Miguel Martinez – 20th in MEC in scoring (12.0 PPG), 19th in rebounding (5.7 RPG), and a reliable three-point shooter (38.4%).
• Arthur Cox – 17th in MEC in rebounding (5.8 RPG), leads the team in assists (2.6 APG).
• Nate Mims – 3rd in MEC in blocks (1.4 BPG) and 12th in rebounding (5.9 RPG).

Strengths:

• Scoring Ability – Ranks 4th in MEC in scoring (84.5 PPG).
• Shot Blocking – Ranks 2nd in MEC in blocks per game (5.2).
• Defensive Rebounding – Ranks 2nd in MEC in defensive rebounds per game (29.2).

Challenges:

• Turnovers – Ranks 3rd in MEC in most turnovers per game (15.0), resulting in a -2.5 turnover margin (7th worst in the MEC).
• Defense – Ranks 10th in MEC in scoring defense, allowing 85.3 PPG, leading to a negative scoring margin (-0.8).
• Three-Point Shooting – Ranks 9th in MEC in three-point percentage (32.9%).

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Wheeling (WHE)

Key Players:

• Sean Ealy – 4th in MEC in scoring (17.4 PPG), 10th in FG% (43.5%), 3rd in FT% (87.1%).
• Alex Smith – Tied for 3rd in MEC in rebounding (9.0 RPG), 7th in steals (1.7 SPG).
• Tee Harris – 7th in MEC in rebounding (6.8 RPG), 5th in blocks (1.2 BPG).
• William Gabbert – Top-20 in scoring (10.9 PPG), 3.1 APG (11th in MEC).

Strengths:

• Three-Point Shooting – Ranks 8th in MEC in three-point percentage (34.1%), with multiple shooters above 35%.
• Rebounding – Ranks 6th in MEC in rebounding margin (+0.7), grabbing 41.0 RPG.
• Free Throw Shooting – Ranks 2nd in MEC at 76.5%.

Challenges:

• Turnovers – Ranks 7th in MEC in turnovers per game (12.9).
• Defense – Ranks 11th in MEC in scoring defense, allowing 85.5 PPG, resulting in a negative scoring margin (-1.8).
• Field Goal Percentage – Ranks 9th in MEC in field goal percentage (42.5%)

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Coaching Matchup

• West Virginia State (WVSU) Head Coach: Bryan Poore (26th Season)
  • Alma Mater: West Virginia State - 1987
  • Coaching Summary: UC (1995-96) 12-14; WVSU (1999-) 424-321
  • Overall Career: 436-335
• WHE Head Coach: Chris Richardson (5th Season)
  • Alma Mater: West Virginia - 2008
  • Coaching Summary: Wheeling (2020-) 39-85
  • Overall Career: 39-85