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OPENING THOUGHTS
Well that game was insane.
I think I can sum up the game in five phases (reactions brought to you by Will Smith).
Phase 1 (beginning of the game until about 12 minutes to go):
Phase 2 (about 12 minutes to go until 2 minutes to go):
Phase 3 (Tarik Phillip’s three pointer and Esa Ahmad’s free throw):
Phase 4 (Kamau Stoke’s missed three point prayer):
Phase 5 (Postgame):
All in all, it was a game which I would never want to watch again. Ever.
For a second here, I’m going to look ahead to the NCAA Tournament.
With the berth in the Big 12 Tournament, I think it might be safe to assume that WVU has locked up at least a 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. We’ll likely be playing our first/second round games in either Buffalo, NY or Greenville, SC.
In case you missed it yesterday, Marshall advanced to the Conference USA Tournament final. The Thundering Herd are a six seed in the tournament, but has managed to scratch and claw their way past Florida Atlantic and Louisiana Tech to get this far.
Marshall is a miniature version of the Golden State Warriors. They rely heavily on three-pointers.
I just figured I’d let you guys know, if the Thundering Herd win tomorrow (and earn C-USA’s automatic bid), it is highly likely that they will play WVU in the first round of the NCAA.
The NCAA just about always does what is in their own best interest. It’s why Syracuse was chosen to go to the tournament instead of Monmouth last year.
With a rivalry reborn in the tournament, it would create added incentive for WVU and Marshall fans alike to watch the in person rather than on TV.
I’m not saying it’s a foregone conclusion, I’m just saying there is a real possibility.
To see if this happens or not, I encourage you to watch the Conference USA Final. It will be on after WVU’s game (8:00 PM ET) on CBS Sports Network.
WHEN/WHERE
Date: Saturday, March 11th
Tip-Off Time: 6:00 PM ET/5:00 PM CT
Where: Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO
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Tickets: General Public
WATCH/LISTEN
TV: ESPN
Streaming Video: WatchESPN (or the ESPN app for smartphones)
Radio: WZST Variety 101 (100.9 FM in Morgantown) and the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG (Radio Affiliates)
Steaming Audio: Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG on TuneIn Radio (or the TuneIn Radio app for smartphones)
ODDS
Spread: WVU by 3.5
O/U: 146.5
BRACKETOLOGY
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
| ESPN (Mar. 11) | 4 | Vermont | Virginia/UT Arlington | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| CBS (Mar. 11) | 4 | Vermont | Minnesota/UNC Wilmington | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| NBC (Mar. 11) | 5 | Nevada | Notre Dame/Bucknell | Milwaukee (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| SB Nation (Mar. 11) | 4 | Princeton | Minnesota/Nevada | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | Memphis, Tenn. (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| Sports Illustrated (Mar. 11) | 4 | Bucknell | Minnesota/UNC Wilmington | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | Memphis, Tenn. (Mar. 24 & 26) |
THE ENEMY
Where are they from? Ames, Iowa
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Series History: Series tied 5-5
Last Time: No. 10 West Virginia 87, No. 24 Iowa State 76 on March 3 in Morgantown
SB Nation Blog: Wide Right & Natty Lite
Record: 22-10 (12-6 Big 12)
Bracketology:
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
| ESPN (Mar. 11) | 6 | Middle Tennessee | Florida State/Winthrop | Orlando, Fla. (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| CBS (Mar. 11) | 7 | Michigan State | Duke/Texas Southern | Greenville, S.C. (Mar. 17 & 19) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| NBC (Mar. 11) | 6 | Providence | UCLA/Iona | Sacramento, Calif. (Mar. 17 & 19) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| SB Nation (Mar. 11) | 6 | Providence/USC | Louisville/Akron | Indianapolis (Mar. 17 & 19) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| Sports Illustrated (Mar. 11) | 6 | Michigan State | Florida State/Cal State Bakersfield | Orlando, Fla. (Mar. 16 & 18) | Kansas City, Mo. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
Head Coach: Steve Prohm
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KEYS TO THE GAME
- Rebounding. Like I mentioned yesterday, WVU is capable of out-rebounding any team in the conference. The Mountaineers didn’t have any kind of edge in the game against K-State until they started rebounding. Could go a long way.
- ESA AHMAD. He ended up being some kind of a difference maker in yesterday’s game, didn’t he? Maybe if he keeps it up he’ll turn this team around.
- Iowa State “Bum of the Game”. I’m going to borrow the Mountaineer Maniacs’ exert for this. Deonte Burton scored 22 points against TCU yesterday. He could go off again. Keep an eye on him.
HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)?
Ten. With the way that WVU played yesterday and the way Iowa State is getting better, I am as afraid of the Cyclones as I could possibly be. I’m still ready for this game though.
PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG
With the way the Mountaineers finished the K-State game, I think that there will be some more scoring. On both sides. It’ll be a great game, but LET’S WIN IT!!
West Virginia 80, Iowa State 79