Kerr Kriisa got here to move, however Arizona switch placed on a taking pictures show throughout Mountaineer Insanity

MORGANTOWN — Whereas WVU level guard Kerr Kriisa got here to Morgantown with the concept of passing the ball round, it was his taking pictures kind he placed on show throughout Mountaineer Insanity on Friday evening contained in the Coliseum.

Teamed with assistant coach Jordan McCabe, the duo gained the 3-point taking pictures contest with a mixed 45 makes within the finals.

Every spherical was one minute with each coach and participant taking pictures on the identical time at each ends of the courtroom.

Within the first spherical, Kriisa made 10 of his first 11 makes an attempt and completed with 21 makes. Within the finals, he related on 24 threes in 60 seconds.

He’s a profession 35% 3-point shooter throughout his first three seasons at Arizona, however WVU head coach Josh Eilert has requested Kriisa to shoot the ball extra.

“We’re most likely going to need to beg him into being extra aggressive when it comes to taking his shot as a result of he actually is a pass-first man,” Eilert stated. “He’s going to need to be a bit of extra aggressive and attempt to take these open photographs when he will get them.”

Kriisa stated he’s making an attempt to make that adjustment to his recreation.

“The primary time I selected West Virginia I stated, ‘OK, I can come right here and transfer the ball round,’ ” Kriisa stated concerning the change. “Now my function is little bit totally different. I’ve to start out taking pictures extra. It’s form of bizarre, as a result of my instincts are to be a pass-first level guard. It’s laborious to be extra egocentric.”

Kriisa can definitely make an influence on the Mountaineers along with his passing.

He led the Pac-12 final season, averaging 5.1 assists per recreation and he’s recorded 335 assists over the past two seasons with the Wildcats. His 5.1 assists per recreation final season led the Pac-12.

WVU, in the meantime, was eighth in assists final season and was final within the Large 12 through the 2021-22 season.

“I simply love passing a lot,” Kriisa stated. “Now, I’m previous, it’s time begin altering some habits.”

How about this?

Throughout an interview section, WVU ahead Josiah Harris had this declaration:

“I simply need it to be recognized I’m the perfect bowler on the crew,” Harris stated. “I common 200.”

Except for the 3-point shoot-out, the occasion additionally noticed ahead Pat Suemnick win the dunk contest.

Within the first spherical, he bounced the ball between his legs, caught it behind him and introduced the ball over his head for the slam.

Within the second spherical, Suemnick took off alongside the baseline and went below the rim and completed with a reverse jam on the opposite aspect.

Within the finals, he introduced the ball down under his waist whereas within the air after which windmilled it in.

No Battle

WVU has but to listen to something from the NCAA on guard RaeQuan Battle’s waiver for speedy eligibility this season.

The switch from Montana State can be coping with an ankle harm, which stored him out of the actions Friday.

Edwards on the boards

The Mountaineers’ struggles to rebound the ball resulted in WVU ending ninth in that class final season, with no participant on the crew averaging greater than 5.5 boards per recreation.

Jesse Edwards, a 6-foot-11 Syracuse switch in his closing season of eligibility, might seemingly deliver a fast repair.

He was second within the ACC final season, averaging 10.3 rebounds per recreation.

“I attempt to make {that a} huge a part of my recreation,” Edwards stated. “Hopefully I can seize the identical quantity, or extra, as final yr. I wasn’t at all times a rebounder, however I believe it’s one thing I’ve added to my recreation.”

And it’s a stat Edwards takes delight in, including that rebounding is the very first thing he have a look at when the stat sheet is handed out.

“I wish to see that I’m getting (rebounds),” Edwards stated. “If I’ve a recreation the place perhaps I play properly, however solely have two rebounds, I don’t really feel nice. I’ll really feel like I let numerous them go.”