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WVU vs. Villanova On Big Monday: Who Votes For Another 43 Points From Da'Sean?

OK, I see everyone's hand raised.  And that's good, because when your best player scores 43 points, it usually means you're winning the game.

Fine, I'll admit, it's unlikely that Da'Sean Butler scores 43 points tonight.  But it's certainly not impossible, especially considering he went off for 33 just this past Saturday against St. John's.  But really, considering the options this Mountaineer teams has at its disposal, Butler doesn't need to score 43 to win.  But there are a few things that do need to happen.  What are they?  Boy, am I glad you asked...

  • Take care of the basketball.  Early in the St. John's game, we played with a certain, I don't know, out-of-controlness that led to a 16 point deficit.  It's kind of Truck's strong-suit.  Enter Joe Mazzulla, who slowed down the Mountaineer attack, found better shots, and sparked a run that eventually resulted in a 19 point blowout.  I'm not saying Truck can't do it, because we've seen that he can, but it would help if both point guards contributed to taking care of the basketball.

Star-divide

  • Get Ebanks involved early.  Devin has been a different kind of star this year; while not scoring a ton, he's been a monster on the glass and an absolute shut-down defender.  Those are very important skills, but we still need him to be an offensive threat.  As we saw in the Louisville game, Ebanks was hot early, then had the confidence to take the ball to the rack late in the game.  If we can get him some early buckets, hopefully that bravado will continue throughout the contest.  If he's cold early, or is gun shy, it may lead to trouble late.
  • Whenever Butler wants to shoot, let him shoot.  I don't think this one needs much explanation.  He's our best player, our best clutch shooter, and should be able to do whatever he wants.  Do work, son.
  • Kick Scotty Reynolds in the shins.  Well, not literally, but play such suffocating defense that that's what it feels like we're doing to him.  That will most likely involve Mazzulla, who can fire up an entire crowd with a steal or two.  Considering Reynolds is one of the top guards in the best conference in the country, we will need all the  defensive stops/steals we can get.

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Is it 7:00 yet? I can’t wait to watch this game.

by ShadyMountaineer on Feb 8, 2010 2:22 PM EST reply actions  

And

incase anyone hasn’t saw we are #5 in the AP poll and #4 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ poll

by ShadyMountaineer on Feb 8, 2010 2:24 PM EST reply actions  

Lordy, what a match-up

Villanova is one in front of us at #4 in the AP and 1 behind us at #5 in the Coaches’.

And Pitt stayed ranked so it will look better when we beat them again on Friday.

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

by MtnEer_in_SC on Feb 8, 2010 2:44 PM EST up reply actions  

I am excited about the Pitt game, I want to see how their fans will react. I bet they act like the bunch of twats that they are and continue to use the “superiority” angle. “We aren’t like West Virginia fans, we are better than that” blah blah blah. Bring it bitches!!!!!!!!

by EatSchmittPitt35 on Feb 8, 2010 3:10 PM EST up reply actions  

I have class at 7:00

so I will miss the first half and most of the second much like I did with the Pitt game

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
"the earth moves when Sean Payton walks...Because his balls are just that huge." Anarchon after Super Bowl XLIV
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan

by WVPiratesfan on Feb 8, 2010 2:40 PM EST reply actions  

I thought class was canceled?

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 8, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions  

I go to WVU-P and classes aren't canceled down here

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
"the earth moves when Sean Payton walks...Because his balls are just that huge." Anarchon after Super Bowl XLIV
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan

by WVPiratesfan on Feb 8, 2010 3:18 PM EST up reply actions  

Ouch

You need that FloTV thing from the super bowl ads last night.

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 8, 2010 3:25 PM EST up reply actions  

Dude, be a man a skip class. That’s what college is about.

by The 25314 on Feb 9, 2010 11:44 AM EST up reply actions  

Word from the Coliseum...

Hundreds of students are dressed in suits for the game. Personally, I love it and think it’s a way of gently poking fun at the last week or two.

by Dr. Charley West on Feb 8, 2010 3:04 PM EST reply actions  

Love it! It would be better if they were all dressed s priests and nuns.

by EatSchmittPitt35 on Feb 8, 2010 3:11 PM EST up reply actions  

Don't like it but I will admit it is funny.

I just feel that it brings more attention on the negative behavior. Granted if the media likes the suits, it could show them, "Wow maybe they are kinda clever and not backward hillbillies.

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 8, 2010 3:23 PM EST up reply actions  

I would add this

Don’t be in a hurry to take shots. Look for the good ones and let your teammates get into position to get rebounds.

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

by MtnEer_in_SC on Feb 8, 2010 4:05 PM EST reply actions  

DIsagree about getting Ebanks going offensively early. He needs to accept that he is a role player. Play defense, rebound and score near the basket on strong cuts and putbacks. When he is taking jumpshots and turning the ball over trying to create shots, he hurts us more than helps us.

He needs to play like he did at the end of the game, using his height and athleticism to score close. Which is what he did at the end of last year.

by The 25314 on Feb 9, 2010 11:51 AM EST reply actions  

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