MORGANTOWN -- West Virginia women's basketball coach Mike Carey inherited a relatively youthful squad this season. But the ninth-year coach also understands that this could be his most athletic and versatile group to date.

Up and down the roster all 12 players are in fantastic shape, giving many of them the option of playing multiple positions. The idea of moving around players from spot to spot is appealing because it can make this year's squad much harder to match up against, which is another by-product of how hard each player worked in the offseason.

"We have several players who can play several different positions, and I like that," Carey said. "It gives us flexibility to put players in different positions. That will be nice this year, also.

"I think this is the hardest our players have worked -- this is my ninth year at West Virginia and I saw our players work harder as a team this summer than I have in any of my nine years. I'm very pleased with the way they worked out, their work ethic and what they have done in the classroom."

What makes this group unique to Carey is the instant cohesion that developed. Five fresh faces joined the team, led by Top 50 recruit Asya Bussie. Two Top 100 recruits in guards Antishia Wright and Akeema Richards bring plenty of quickness.

Carey has been happy with how well the team has grown together through a relatively short period of time.

"I love this group," Carey added. "I think this group can do something special because of their work ethic and because of their attitudes and because they want to get better."

Having a team decimated by several injuries last season, Carey was never able to see the full potential of his squad.

With a fully healthy roster and a great amount of depth, Carey has plenty of options.

This year's team is guard-heavy with returning second team All-Big East player Liz Repella and Big East Most Improved Player Sarah Miles leading the way.

But Carey believes his team will be much improved in the post.

"We're going to be a little more inside this year. We'll run our four-out stuff but we're also going to run some of our power game inside and inside-out," Carey said.

For the first time in his career, Carey will be coaching a team that has no seniors. The concept is a double-edged sword for many coaches, and he understands the advantages and disadvantages of having a youth-laden group.

"The disadvantage is some of these players have not been in a college setting, and the last minute of a basketball game on the opponent's floor and their screaming and yelling and you can't hear and communicate -- that's a disadvantage because they haven't been there and done that," Carey added.

"The advantage is they come in here hungry."

Carey said all 10 eligible players can get some playing time.

Transfers Ayana Dunning (LSU) and Tonia Williams (South Carolina) are sitting out this season.

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