#6 WVU Charges Past St. John's
by Dr. Charley West on Feb 6, 2010 2:27 PM EST
in Mountaineer Basketball
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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.
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:
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.
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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
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
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….
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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