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#6 WVU Charges Past St. John's

Today's MAPOG: Da'Sean Butler.

Big surprise, eh?  Like anyone else was going to win it after that performance.

Da'Sean Butler was an absolute star today.  Putting together what was one of the best single half performances in WVU history, the senior leader helped the Mountaineers turn a 16 point, second-half deficit into an easy, going-away 19 point win.  As bad as the first half was, the second half was a sparkling jewel, sparked by Butler, but also with solid contributions from Ebanks, Jones, and Mazzulla.  But it was still DaDa's show.

A quick check of his stat line will tell you most of the story:

9-16 FG, 7-7 3pt, 8-8 FT, 6 Reb, 4 Ast, 2 St, 33 Points.  And one big wow from me.  Like, really big.

Star-divide

This from a team -- and player, considering he didn't score for a 16 minute stretch -- that looked lost and generally disinterested in the first half, not to mention early parts of the second half.  ESPN's scoring chart will better illustrate the dire circumstances this team faced:

Stjgameflow_medium

At one point in the second period, it was 38-22 bad guys.  From then on, the Mountaineers outscored the Red Storm 57-22.  That's a 35 point difference.  Really, I am running out of words to describe just how impressive a job Butler and WVU did coming back from those early setbacks.  Just a great win after a horrific start.

It will be a very short turnaround for WVU, as they have only two days of snowstorm-affected travel and rest before playing Villanova in the Coliseum on Big Monday.  There will be so many different variables in that game.  One, as already mentioned, potential travel problems for both teams.  Two, the Wildcats got spanked today at the hands of Georgetown.  And third, how will the home crowd react after all that's transpired in the past few days?

Regardless, it will be a huge opportunity for the Mountaineers to grab a share of 2nd place in conference, and potentially 1st depending on the results of tomorrow's Syracuse-Cincinnati game.

But, until then, let's just enjoy the force that was Da'Sean Butler today.  Well done, sir.  Well done.

0 recs  |  Comment 17 comments |

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AWESOME WIN

GREAT TEAM…GREAT COACH.

KEN

by KENH on Feb 6, 2010 2:36 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Don't forget the catalyzing performance by WELLS

Mazzulla was fantastic setting the table in the 2H, too.

by bicklefischerkane on Feb 6, 2010 2:44 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

great win

st. johns has a reputation for collapsing in the second half this season though

by DougityDog on Feb 6, 2010 2:58 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

st. johns fans

they dont like it one bit

by DougityDog on Feb 6, 2010 3:15 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I did hear the "Fire Roberts" chants during the game.

I get the feeling that, given the turnout for the game and their continuing lackluster performances, he has to be on his way out.

by Dr. Charley West on Feb 6, 2010 3:21 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

The St. John's fans

We only hope

-Pico, of the East Coast Bias

by picodulce on Feb 8, 2010 10:41 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Unable to watch 2nd half....

WOW! Thought for sure we were done after that dreadful 1st half. I like the brief synopsis, Dr. West, you post giving summary of this game. I am often very busy, and don’t have time to read numbing articles from a pro-WVU news outlet. I would rather get the cliff notes version from the casual fan….

by WVUColumbus on Feb 6, 2010 3:26 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Very busy?

Do you also boast a library of leather-bound books? Furniture of rich mahogany?

by bicklefischerkane on Feb 6, 2010 3:51 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

We are a pro-WVU news outlet

I’m still not convinced you are a WVU fan

Leave no doubt tonight! Leave no doubt tonight! No doubt! They shouldn't of played the Old Gold'n Blue.

by 5th Year Senior on Feb 6, 2010 5:48 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

this is a news outlet? have mer-cey.

by The 25314 on Feb 6, 2010 7:04 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Even I cringed at that one.

I mean, I sometimes like to pretend I’m Walter Cronkite, but that’s unrelated.

by Dr. Charley West on Feb 6, 2010 7:09 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

5YS, even when he is being sincere, you never give him a break. Take the high road once in awhile.(hehe I know this will piss you off)

by EatSchmittPitt35 on Feb 8, 2010 12:18 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Seems that Da’Sean just loves playing in the Garden. I hope he has more big games there when we come back in March.

"There's an angel on my shoulder, but the devil's at the wheel." - Jonatha Brooke

by MtnEer_in_SC on Feb 6, 2010 5:43 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Anyone Else Remember A Game Like This?

My brother and I were talking after the game and neither of us could remember a game where we down, what, 14, 16, and then went on to win by 19. We both remembered a Syracuse game where we were up 15, and then lost by 20, so we’ve been on the other end of it….as most of you know, I usually rely on myself to be the stat geek, but I was just wondering if anyone had a cursory memory….

What a game. Holy shit, we’re good.

Now is the time boys to make a big noise.
No matter what the people say,
For there is naught to fear, the gang's all here,
So hail West Virginia, hail.

by JP Fanshawe on Feb 6, 2010 10:17 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I must be getting used to this team..

or perhaps it’s because of the opponent, but I wasn’t my usual ranting self (although I did turn away momentarily when we were 16 down). I knew that the law of averages on both teams shooting would kick in, especially how it seemed even gravity was working against the guys on their shots in the first half!

Let’s keep it going against Villinova! That is, if the team can get back to WVU in time for the game! We only had ~2 feet of snow here in DC, not sure what they’re dealing with in P-burgh or NY.

by phucoffaholic on Feb 7, 2010 2:41 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Tony tweeted a little while ago that the team landed in Clarksburg and the team would practice immediately after getting into Morgantown. Who knows if Nova made it out of DC though.

Leave no doubt tonight! Leave no doubt tonight! No doubt! They shouldn't of played the Old Gold'n Blue.

by 5th Year Senior on Feb 7, 2010 3:30 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

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