MORGANTOWN -
The West Virginia University men's basketball team will have
plenty of new faces on the roster. There are some new young faces in freshmen
Eron Harris and Terry Henderson. There are also some new faces in older players
like transfers Aaric Murray, Juwan State and Matt Humphrey.
Humphrey arrived at WVU via a unique road. He began his
college career at Oregon. After two years at Oregon, he transferred to Boston
College. Upon graduating from Boston College, he transferred to WVU for his
final year of eligibility.
"I'm really excited," Humphrey said with a smile. "I'm
finally with a really, really good program that preaches trying to win
basketball games and get to the next level. I'm really happy about that. I like
my team. Huggs and his staff is really good people and I am happy to be here."
Humphrey nearly came to WVU instead of Boston College.
"Coach (Larry) Harrison reached out a while ago," Humphrey
said. "He actually reached out the first time I transferred and didn't get it
done then. But Coach Harrison was right on it and let me know there was an
opportunity for me to play here and he sold me. The school has an excellent
program academically. It's a great opportunity for me to come out here, showcase
my skills and help this team get a few more wins."
Humphrey's experiences include taking on tough teams in the
Pac-10 and especially difficult opponents in the ACC like Duke and North
Carolina.
"Coming from the Pac-10 and the ACC, you play a lot of
schools," Humphrey stated. "Being out there and playing in those tough games
and winning some of those games was great. There are a lot of young guys that
are going to play and I am definitely looking to help those young guys with my
experiences."
Experience is one thing, but talent is perhaps even more
important. Humphrey certainly brings some of that to the table.
"I like to play really, really hard," Humphrey stated. "I
like to get after it on defense and I definitely like to get up and down the
floor. I am going to play unselfish and play with my teammates and when an
opportunity is there I am going to take advantage of that."
Humphrey has one year of eligibility remaining. He hopes to
take his game to a new level in that one year, thanks in large part to Head
Coach Bob Huggins.
"Playing with Huggs is tough," Humphrey said. "He is going
to be tough. But I appreciate tough coaching. I am used to it. I haven't had
that type of coach for a while, probably since my AAU team."
The other ingredient Humphrey hopes to use to his advantage
is the new WVU basketball practice facility. Its 24-7 access combined with
top-notch equipment gives players like Humphrey everything they need to work on
their game.
"It gives you no excuses," Humphrey stated. "You can get in
the gym and work on your game and perfect it and work on your craft. Having
that facility is state-of-the-art. Some NBA guys don't have access to that type
of stuff. We are fortunate enough to have that. I am going to take full
advantage of it."
Humphrey and the rest of the Mountaineers are working hard
this offseason on playing a different style of basketball. The up-tempo style should
be on display by WVU this year.
"I'm excited," Humphrey said with a smile. "Getting up and
down the floor is my kind of game. Getting after it on defense and playing with
those type of basketball players elevates your game."
Elevating his game is why Humphrey transferred to WVU. He
will spend the rest of the offseason getting used to his new teammates and
preparing to sport the old gold and blue later this year.
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