The West Virginia Mountaineers, sitting two games back of conference champion Kansas, may not have a regular season title to play for. But do we really think that will stop this group, especially one coached by legendary hound-dog Bob Huggins?
This group is now 12-5 in Big 12 play with a chance to secure sole possession of second place with a win at Baylor this week. Oklahoma, who nips at WVU’s heels, is 11-6 at this juncture.
The impressiveness about the job that coach Huggins and his staff have done this season, is fully evidenced by looking back to their matchup against Virginia at Madison Square Garden in December. During the first half West Virginia raced out to a halftime lead, though it was not a commanding one, by forcing Virginia into careless turnovers, rushed shots, and putting them out of position on the defensive end. The Mountaineers were aggressive and physical, to a level that I had not personally seen while at a game live in years. It was a performance that put West Virginia at least for a half, on the national map. But what happened in the second half was ultimately the tale of the night. Their outside shots would no longer fall. Their press was no longer effective. All in all, the more composed and mature team came out in the end, that being the Cavaliers.
Fast forward to now and “Press Virginia” looks like the exact kind of team that one does not want to see lined up in their bracket on Selection Sunday.
