The Mountaineers go into game preparation mode as their opener against Robert Morris approaches

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – More than seven months after being named West Virginia's head coach, Darian DeVries will lead the Mountaineers in their first significant action under his direction in their regular-season opener against Robert Morris at WVU Coliseum on Monday at 7 p.m.

With 14 new additions to West Virginia's roster and an entirely new coaching staff, it's fair to assume that at least some trial-and-error will come into play as a new era begins in Morgantown, although DeVries is particularly excited to see how very much that plays a role in his team's game against the Colonials.

“We are ready. We're looking forward to playing. I know that,” said DeVries, who spent the last six seasons as head coach at Drake. “This week, after our second exhibition game or scrimmage, it's a little longer week and our last opportunity to really focus on ourselves and then there's a lot of game preparation. Today is the first time we're truly in game prep mode, preparing for an opponent with a real scout. We'll start with that and it'll stay that way until March. Our guys are excited to go out and play.”

The Mountaineers hosted the University of Charleston, a Division II program, for an appearance on October 18 in the team's only home game to date. They also fought in a closed battle in Beckley against Wake Forest.

Now comes the first of 31 regular-season games and 11 head-to-head nonconference contests to open DeVries' first season at WVU.

Against Charleston, the Mountaineers used a starting lineup of Javon Small and Sencire Harris at guards, Tucker DeVries and Toby Okani at forwards and Amani Hansberry at center. All five are transfers, and in their first season at West Virginia, no member of the Mountaineer roster other than DeVries and guard Joseph Yesufu has played for DeVries in the past.

“We have a pretty good idea of ​​what that rotation is going to look like,” DeVries said, noting his team would easily fit eight players on defense, with spot minutes for possibly two more players. “It can always change and I always tell the boys that your role is not permanent. Maybe you're a beginner and play for 30 minutes, but don't settle. The same goes for guys who may not get as many opportunities as they would like. Keep working and pushing. You never know when these opportunities will arise. It could be an injury, a foul, whatever. Keep playing well in practice and put yourself in the best position possible.”

Yesufu, fellow point guard KJ Tenner, wings Jayden Stone and Jonathan Powell, and center Eduardo Andre all played between 12 and 19 minutes in reserve roles against Charleston, although DeVries confirmed that Stone will be sidelined for at least the immediate future after being injured had recently sustained an upper body injury in practice.

Stone, a 6-foot-2 fifth-year guard, was the country's 22nd leading scorer in Detroit last season with an average of 20.8 points.

West Virginia is missing a strong scorer and a good perimeter shooter at the start of the season.

“Every night is about how we win those 40 minutes,” coach DeVries said, “and we play the guys that are supposed to help us win that game that night.”

This first challenge begins with the program's first matchup with Robert Morris since 2010. The Mountaineers have won 19 of 21 previous matches against RMU, although this is only the second meeting between the two teams since 2001, which was the last of 14 consecutive matchups on annual basis.

The Colonials have eight new additions to a 15-player roster and are coming off a 10-22 season.

This marks Andrew Toole's 15th year as RMU head coach, despite the program suffering four straight losing seasons.

In Robert Morris's appearance at Villanova last Sunday, the Colonials fell short in an 87-73 loss. RMU, which made 12 of 29 three-pointers and had 18 assists with 10 turnovers, was outscored by seven points in each half. Guards Josh Omojafo and DJ Smith led the way with 15 points each.

“They played them really well. They have a lot of new faces, just like us,” Coach DeVries said. “A very competitive game that presents some challenges that we need to prepare for and be ready for. I tell the guys every night that you have to be ready to play, and I think our guys will be excited to play on Monday.”

DeVries estimated there would be a dozen family and friends in town for his first regular-season game in West Virginia, something he said he has been thinking about a lot as it approaches.

“I'm a little nervous. I want to be excited. That’s why we do this,” he said. “We as a team and staff are definitely looking forward to actually playing. From a coaching perspective, all that matters to me is that we play the way we want to play. I’m excited to get us out there and do that.”