MESS VIRGINIA: Sloppy play dooms West Virginia, Mountaineers fall to Western Kentucky in Myrtle Beach semifinal

Hoo boy.

If you missed that game, for whatever reason, consider yourself blessed.

The West Virginia Mountaineers are now 1-2 on the 2018-19 basketball season after falling to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-1), 63-57, in a Myrtle Beach Invitational semifinal game.

I’d be lying if I told you I had a lot of hope about where this team is headed right now, which is a stark contrast to my reaction following the loss to the Buffalo Bulls last Friday night. I thought there were glimpses of promise in that game, but tonight’s performance has me second guessing everything I originally thought.

Folks, this team is not good right now. Will they turn it around as the non-conference schedule rolls on? Possibly. If anyone can do it, it’s Bob Huggins, but things are pretty bleak.

So, let’s talk stats:

• West Virginia turned the ball over 22 times, marking the most turnovers in a game by the Mountaineers since giving up 23 in a 75-79 loss against Kansas State on January 21, 2017.
• The Mountaineers shot 33% for the game, but only 24% in the second half
• Sagaba Konate finished 1-of-6 (0-3 3PT) for 5 points, but pulled down 6 rebounds and blocked 3 shots.

Not great.

It’s going to be an extremely uphill battle for the Mountaineers to turn this around. They’ll be able to start that climb on Sunday at 4:00PM against Saint Josephs Hawks in the third-place game. That game will, once again, be broadcast on ESPNU, presumably with Rich Hollenberg and Debbie Antonelli on the call again. Enjoy.