Morgantown, WV (U-WIRE) -- After an unbelievable run in the month of March, John Beilein's West Virginia University Mountaineers have been forced to deal with a number of losses in the short-run aftermath.

On May 27, Beilein announced that freshman forward Brad Byerson had decided to transfer. After red-shirting his first year in Morgantown, Byerson received little playing time last season, averaging just 2.8 minutes per game and 0.5 points.

The 6-7 forward from Colonial Heights, Va., became the second low-post Mountaineer to announce plans to transfer.

"It was a bit of a surprise because we had talked to him in March," Beilein said. "He had a change of heart and there's not much we can do when those things happen."

"We wish BJ well; it just didn't work out."

Luke Bonner, a 6-11 center, announced his plans to transfer earlier in the month on the same day WVU center Kevin Pittsnogle declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft.

Bonner recently decided to attend the University of Massachusetts, while Pittsnogle has until June 21 to make his decision of whether to enter the draft or return to WVU for his senior season, since he has not hired an agent.

Beilein's coaching staff also took a hit when assistant Jeff Neubauer was hired as the new head coach at Eastern Kentucky University. Both Pittsnogle and D'or Fischer have been invited to the NBA pre-draft camp in Chicago June 6-10, which will give NBA scouts one last chance to evaluate the players.

"It's been great for him," Beilein said of Pittsnogle's whole experience. "In June, many people are taking a little vacation because basketball season seems so far away. If you can get in things that keep you involved in basketball, it's great, and that is what Kevin is going through."

Despite the number of losses, Beilein remains confident and optimistic about his team next season.

If Pittsnogle returns to school, WVU will return seven of its top nine players in minutes played and points scored from last season, while Penn State center transfer Rob Summers will also be eligible. "They are working very hard," Beilein said of his returning players from a 24-11 team that advanced to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament and finished the season ranked No. 12. "They are challenged by the lack of depth and being forced in playing more, but they are excited."

Beilein said six were currently enrolled in summer classes, while a number of the players will be participating in tournaments and other events this summer.

West Virginia will have 10 scholarship players next season, with two being the team's incoming freshmen Alex Rouff and Joe Alexander. Although the timing has been difficult for Beilein's squad, the coach said transferring is becoming more a part of college basketball and isn't necessarily a negative.

"There isn't much we can do right now; kids change their minds. Unfortunately we can't go back to April," Beilein said. "We want people to be happy. When you have a team of 13 players and only five can play when most were the best player at their high school, it can be difficult."

Beilein also realizes the number of added pressures on modern players.

"With today's mentality, young recruits want to play as early as possible," Beilein said. "I think players are more apt to transfer if things aren't going well."

Still, Beilein is looking forward to the coming year with his team, while hoping for the best for each of his players from last season. "Transferring is not always a bad thing. Would you say Mike Gansey made a mistake or D'or Fischer?"

(C) 2004 The Daily Athenaeum via U-WIRE