Alexander Named Hoops MVP

Junior Joe Alexander was named Most Valuable Player of the West Virginia University's men’s basketball team at the squad’s 2007-08 banquet, held Thursday night at the Waterfront Place Hotel.

Alexander, a native of Mt. Airy, Md., led the Mountaineers in scoring at 16.9 points per game and in rebounding at 6.4 boards per contest. He garnered first team all-Big East honors and earned honorable mention All-America honors by the Associated Press.

Alexander also won the Most Improved Player award. Other award winners were Da’Sean Butler (Unsung Hero), Wellington Smith (Sixth Man), Joe Mazzulla (Best Defender), Darris Nichols (Team Man) and Jamie Smalligan (Charge Leader).

The Mountaineers finished the 2007-08 season at 26-11 and advanced to the NCAA "Sweet 16" for the third time in the last four seasons. WVU finished the season ranked No. 17 in the final ESPN/USA Today poll.