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Ruoff Returns One Last Time

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Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Central grad and West Virginia University guard Alex Ruoff dribbles toward the basket Sunday against USF.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: March 1, 2009

TAMPA - Alex Ruoff received a second chance to make a last impression.

Last year the 2005 Central High grad from Spring Hill, a 6-foot-6 starting shooting guard at West Virginia University the past three seasons, played what was supposed to be his final college "home" game.

The Mountaineers defeated Big East rival USF at the St. Pete Times Forum that day in what was at the time West Virginia's last scheduled visit to Tampa during Ruoff's college career.

With Ruoff as one of its leaders, West Virginia went on to the Sweet 16 and his hometown fans figured to never have another chance to see him in person in a Mountaineer uniform, at least without a long road trip.

But a change in the Big East's scheduling resulted in two meetings between the Mountaineers and Bulls this season, including one at USF's Sun Dome on Sunday.

Ruoff, now a senior, shook off a rocky beginning to make the most of this encore performance, tallying a team-high 16 points in a 64-50 victory.

"I wanted to focus on the game and make sure we got this win," said Ruoff, who had not been in Florida since last May. "But being here is so great."

Slow start

To say he got off to a slow start Sunday would be an understatement. Unable to get involved offensively, Ruoff didn't even throw up a shot until the 10:53 mark of the first half, a missed three-pointer.

With a minute to go before halftime he finally got on the scoreboard, knocking down his second three-point attempt.

He finished with those three points on 1-of-2 shooting in the opening half, playing the entire 20 minutes.

West Virginia (20-9) struggled to just a 30-27 lead at the intermission, but the beginning of the second half changed the storyline considerably for both the Mountaineers and their local star.

Ruoff knocked down a trey from the top of the key at 18:40 before adding a driving lay-up and another three, part of a 10-1 run that pushed West Virginia in front by double figures, 40-28.

"I knew I had to get some shots up," Ruoff said. "(Assistant) Coach (Larry) Harrison was really challenging me. He said I had to get shots up. I didn't know how to get shots without forcing it, so I started moving a lot without the ball."

During a postgame television interview heard over the Sun Dome public address system, USF Head Coach Stan Heath called Ruoff the difference in the second half.

That delighted the many Ruoff followers who hung around waiting for him to emerge from the locker room.

"He played really well," said Ruoff's coach at Central, John Sedlack. "It's amazing that it's over almost. Last night we went to dinner and he said 'Coach, can you believe I have two more home games?'

"I said, 'Hell, I can remember when you were a (high school) freshman walking through the door.' It's all gone really quick."

Ruoff's mother, Kim Deloe, has spent most of the season with her son in West Virginia, but still enjoyed watching him closer to home.

"What a dream," Deloe said. "It's been incredible."

A new role

Ruoff came into this season in a unique position, as the only senior on the Mountaineers, in their second year under Head Coach Bob Huggins.

That's in stark contrast to his freshman campaign of 2005-06, when he came off the bench behind the likes of Kevin Pittsnogle, Mike Gansey and Patrick Beilein, veterans who had reached the Elite Eight the previous season under then coach John Beilein.

"It's been interesting," Ruoff said. "I realize the development of our freshmen will determine how far we go this season. I'm doing my best to help them any way I can.

"It's a lot different. I've always had somebody to look up to. This year it's different. Everyone is looking at me."

At 16.1 points per game, Ruoff ranks second on the team in scoring behind junior forward Da'Sean Butler (17.4). He leads the Mountaineers in assists (3.4), steals (1.8) and three-pointers made (74).

The outside shooting has become his most defining attribute as a collegiate player. He came into the season as a 38 percent career shooter from beyond arc and is shooting 37 percent this campaign.

As it has throughout his four years at West Virginia, his scoring average has increased, from 13.8 in 2007-08. He has attempted to shed the shooter label and improve his overall offensive arsenal.

"I worked hard this offseason at trying to become more versatile," Ruoff said. "I think I've done a good job doing that. I'm putting the ball on the floor and getting to the foul line."

Aside from helping the Mountaineers make another NCAA Tournament run, he likely has an eye toward raising his professional stock.

Ruoff does not project as a potential draft pick for the NBA this summer. More realistically, he could follow the increasing trend of American players latching on to a team overseas.

Even if it does mean relocating to a foreign country, Ruoff has every intention of pursuing a professional career.

"I'm trying to put together a good year," Ruoff said. "I don't know what's in store for me next year but I definitely want to play on."

Academic star

Ruoff will graduate in May with a degree in history and would like to get into coaching once his playing days are over.

From an academic standpoint, ESPN The Magazine recently named Ruoff, who carries a 3.79 GPA, to its Academic All-District II men's basketball first team.

"It means a lot," Ruoff said. "It makes Coach Sedlack and my mom proud. I like to do well in the classroom. Basically I'm trying to give athletes a good name in the classroom."

This marks the third straight year Ruoff has earned this honor. Last year, he was chosen as a third-team Academic All-American.

"To be able to function at a 3.8 academically, it's something to be really proud of," Sedlack said, noting the time constraints that come with playing basketball. "I couldn't be more proud of him."

Regardless of what the future holds, Ruoff has set himself up for success off the court. He still has some work to do for the Mountaineers, though, even as his time in Morgantown comes to a close.

"I think about it every once in a while," Ruoff said of his college career ending. "I'm trying to enjoy it while I can.

"…It's been a great four years. I've loved every minute of it. Even with the coaching change it's been real good. We've been real successful the last three years, that's made it easy to enjoy, as well."

BY THE NUMBERS: ALEX RUOFF AT WVU
Year GP FG 3PT FTA FTM FT% TP AVG
05-06 21 07 06 01 00 00% 20 0.95
06-07 36 123 69 70 56 80% 371 10.3
07-08 37 169 98 92 76 83% 512 13.8
08-09 27 139 74 105 84 80% 436 16.1
TOTAL 121 438 247 268 216 81% 1339 11.1

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at 352-544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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