To paraphrase "Don" Billy Hahn, I wonder if this will count as a signature win for that buffoon Doug Gottlieb. Personally, I tend to like Gottlieb. We share many of the same traits. Dapper dress, a quick quit wit, boyish good looks, inability to make free throws, and a penchant to commit credit card fraud.
I don't claim to be Nostradamus...he should claim to be me. Who foresaw WVU going 4-2 over the final 6 games with losses to 'Nova and UConn? The 25314
Who foresaw WVU defeating Providence and very possibly beating UConn? The 25314.
At 24-9, and 13-7 in the Big East, there is no way WVU will miss the Dance now. In fact, WVU has probably locked up a #7 seed. You read it here first.
With Joe Alexander playing like the Great White Hope, WVU may have played the best game of the season against UConn. They destroyed the boards. Who could have imagined this John Beilein recruited team dominating UConn on the boards. It's truly remarkable what Bob Huggins has been able to do.
Still, the Mountaineers struggled from the 3-point line and with turning the ball over. If WVU catch fire from beyond the arch, there is no telling how good they could be.
Against Georgetown, there will not be nearly the amount of on-ball pressure that has led to sloppy turnovers. The key will be covering Georgetown's hot shooters. I'm not sure WVU will be able to win for a third straight day, but I do know that it doesn't matter.
The NCAA Tournament in Huggin's first year is academic, which is truly remarkable considering the polar opposite styles of Huggins and his predecessor.
Imagine a coach that, say, runs a power spread offense in football taking over a team built for a pro-style offense. Or a Princeton style coach taking over for a team built for a more traditional style. Michigan fans will tell you, this type of dichotomy normally doesn't end up in such success.
By the way, did anyone see Smalligan wave to the crowd after his squeeze dunk, and seconds before fouling out? Talk about high on the unintentional comedy scale.
And now for your viewing pleasure....
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=2PKY3ashUMI]