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MORGANTOWN -- For the most part, this new era of college athletics has been, shall we say, annoying, especially the idea of every year in darn near every sport fans -- to say nothing of coaches and even the players themselves -- have to learn a new roster of players.
By the time the coach had shaped them into what he wanted and by the time the fan had decided just who his or her favorite player was, he found himself wishing him well at his next school, in the professional ranks here or abroad, or simply going out to earn a living like all of us working stiffs.
That hurt, not helped, the games, for when a guy was walking in through the front door it was for more like four or five months than four or five years.
And, it seemed, the new kids were refreshing, even if a bit cockier than those of previous eras. Today, you don’t hear much of the “Golly, I just hope I can help the teams kind of talk.” Today’s college kids come in sounding more like Larry Bird at his prime, telling his opposition just what he was going to do and then going out to do it.
With that, let’s introduce you to Finley Bizjack, one of Coach Hodges new recruits -- which covers nearly everyone on his roster.
He’s a senior from Butler University who could have more eligibility after this year but sounds like he has bigger things on his mind than that.
Even so, you’re gonna like him.
It starts, as it did as WVU’s men’s basketball team had interviews following up on its summer workout, with him being asked to describe himself as a player.
You might remember last year when Honor Huff was asked a similar question and responded -- we’re paraphrasing here, but it boiled down to this -- “I’m a 3-point shooter.”
As you know, he didn’t disappoint.
Neither, you suspect, will Bizjack, a 6-4 guard, who responded when asked about his game:
“I feel like, easily, I’m just like a scorer. That’s what I’ve done for most of my college career. I pride myself on being the best scorer I can be.”
His definition of being a scorer is a simple one.
“On the ball, off the ball, whatever it comes to put the ball in the basket,” Bizjack said. “That’s what I like to do. I like to have fun out there and thankfully to me that’s scoring and to me there’s nothing better in the world. As long as I can put the basket, I’ll find a way.”
Now everyone loves a scorer, but Ross Hodge is more of a defensive coach, so does that square peg of being scorer get to be playing with a round role of a coach who emphasizes defense?
“He told me if I want to play at the next level, I had to improve on other parts of my game and that he could make good scorers really good defenders,” he answered. “In order to be the best possible player I could be, it was a no-brainer to come here.”
So how did Hodge sell him on coming to WVU and bringing his 17-point average with him?
“Talking to Coach Hodge. He spent time at North Texas, which is 15 minutes from where I’m from. Also assistant coach Phil Forte, who I close to because he’s from near where I’m from. I loved how passionate they were about being here and what they represented. That got me excited.”
What else got him excited was that they no longer were still down there in north Texas, where on Thursday it was 101 and on Friday it was expected to be 105, which is probably a reason he choose to play an indoor game to play rather than an outdoor game like his brother, who plays football.
“I never wanted to play an outdoor sport. It’s not my calling,” he said.
This dramatic change is multiplied by the fact that he is moving from the Big East to the Big 12. That’s a move WVU made 13 years ago itself as it went looking for a home in a power conference.
“It’s been different. It’s the way college basketball is now. I’m a senior, played for three years and usually half the team leaves. So I’m kind of used to it but, as I’ve said before, this is the most talented team I’ve played on, and once we figure out where everyone is supposed to be and what their roles are it will be very positive for us.”
He’s playing with new players and they are on a different level than he played at before.
“There’s athletes, scorers, defenders,” Bizjack said. “Size, there’s really nothing ever lacking. They’re ginormous, they’re long, they’re, lengthy, they’re skilled. Wings are like super athletic, can score, can drive, can defend. Our guard is super talented, can do it all basically.”
That would be super freshman Miles Sadler, one of the top recruits ever at WVU.
“He’s the first 5-star recruit I’ve ever played with,” Bizjack said. “We didn’t get those at Butler. “Miles is super talented and is an everyday person. He shows up every day with a great attitude and great mindset. You never see him like down one day or sad. He’s always here and he shows up competes hard.
“There’s a reason he’s gained all those accolades in high school. He’s an everyday person who wants to be really good and that’s why he will be. He’s an incredible play with special feel. He just makes plays and you go ‘Wow.'”