West Virginia had the reputation of being a system team, but showed it was something more last season by knocking off No. 2 Duke on its way to the Sweet 16. But that doesn't mean the doubters won't be back in force again in 2008-09.

The Mountaineers showed they could survive the loss of coach John Beilein, as Bob Huggins wasted no time getting the team back to the NCAAs. A large part of that was because of Joe Alexander getting hot at the perfect time, and Alexander rode that wave of success to become the eighth pick in the NBA draft.

Alexander is one of three starters who Huggins will have to replace, but between the returnees and the newcomers the coach will be able to find a rotation that can compete to return to the NCAA Tournament.

Though Alexander's loss is huge, Joe Mazzulla has equally big shes to fill as he takes over at point from the departed Darris Nichols. Nichols seemed to be at WVU forever, running a steady point and making things happen without turning it over. Mazzulla showed a lot of progress in his minutes last season, however, and will be joined by senior guard Alex Ruoff at the two-guard spot and Da'Sean Butler on the wing. If Mazzulla falters, freshman Darryl Bryant will get some minutes to show his stuff at the point as well.

The paint, however, will be a battle between last season's reserves and this year's freshmen. Wellington Smith and John Flowers return, as does Cam Thoroughman, who was hobbles with injuries a year ago. But freshman forward Devin Ebanks signed in the spring, and could be playing big minutes by the fall. So could Kevin Jones, Dee Proby, and Roscoe Davis.

One thing hasn't changed. Whether the coach is Beilein or Huggins, not much is usually expected from WVU in the preseason. But this is another year when the Mountaineers have the talent to surprise.

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