The Diehard Breakdown: Wisconsin 70 WVU 63

[WvuDieHard]

The Mountaineers fell to #10 Wisconsin in the Cancun Challenge this evening as the Badgers displayed a team effort in exposing WV's weaknesses: Rebounding and Defense. The Mounties never seemed to recognize where the 3 point shooters were early in the game and found themselves in a 17 point first half hole. WV allowed the Badgers to score 11 3points goals on this evening while getting smashed on the glass 37-22. WV tried to rely on 3 point shooting early on in this game and could not get the lid off the rim. Wisconsin held on to a 39-31 halftime advantage after Erron Harris rallied the Mountaineers to within 6 late in the first half. The 2nd half saw WV get within 4 points on a Dibo 3 pointer but some untimely turnovers and slack defense would not allow WV to get over the hump.

WV did not shoot the ball well this evening as the Badger defense was disruptive to this young team holding them to 42.6% from the field. WV had 9 assists to 7 turnovers. More disturbing was the dismal 6-14 effort from the foul line. The Mountaineers were led by Harris with a career high 7 3 points goals and 27 points, Staten with 18, Dibo with 9 and Browne with 7.

In conclusion, youth and inexperience reared its head tonight. WV was simply nonexistent in the paint and got into a little foul trouble making that even worse. Give the Badgers credit as they exposed the Mountaineers weaknesses and played better defense in the win. WV players will learn from this outing and adjust as they did in the loss to VT. The Mountaineers will regroup and head back to Morgantown for a Monday game against Loyola of Maryland. The Greyhounds will come in with a 3-1 record after narrowly losing to UConn by 10 on Tuesday. Have a Happy Thanksgiving Mountaineer fans wherever your country road has taken you this Thanksgiving Holiday.

 

[bbwvfan]

While I was disappointed in the loss… I enjoyed watching the Mounties battle last night. I thought they fought hard.

Early glimpses of this team's mental fortitude… something that has been missing recently. After giving up an 18 pt run, they fell behind by double digits. A small run at the end of the first half narrowed back to striking distance.

This game was lost both at the FT line, and by a couple of players missing some easy layups for an and-one. Wisky made 15-17 FT. WVU went 6-14. Unfortunately, WVU got into early foul trouble in the 2nd half… Wisky went into the double bonus, and this prevented WVU from wanting to foul late in the game to extend the clock.

I felt WVU's defense did a pretty nice job overall. They held Wisky to 40.7% shooting while going 42.6% themselves. Wisky hurt them from beyond the arc where it shot 40.7%. But, WVU countered with 52% 3 pt shooting… each team making 11 3's on the night.

This team is gotta find some ball hawkers though… somehow they have to get the long rebounds. It seemed like every long carom ended up in a Wisky player's hands.

 

[JIMKOON]

The Mountaineers fell to #10 Wisconsin in the Cancun Challenge this evening as the Badgers displayed a team effort in exposing WV's weaknesses: Rebounding and Defense. The Mounties never seemed to recognize where the 3 point shooters were early in the game and found themselves in a 17 point first half hole. WV allowed the Badgers to score 11 3points goals on this evening while getting smashed on the glass 37-22. WV tried to rely on 3 point shooting early on in this game and could not get the lid off the rim. Wisconsin held on to a 39-31 halftime advantage after Erron Harris rallied the Mountaineers to within 6 late in the first half. The 2nd half saw WV get within 4 points on a Dibo 3 pointer but some untimely turnovers and slack defense would not allow WV to get over the hump.

WV did not shoot the ball well this evening as the Badger defense was disruptive to this young team holding them to 42.6% from the field. WV had 9 assists to 7 turnovers. More disturbing was the dismal 6-14 effort from the foul line. The Mountaineers were led by Harris with a career high 7 3 points goals and 27 points, Staten with 18, Dibo with 9 and Browne with 7.

In conclusion, youth and inexperience reared its head tonight. WV was simply nonexistent in the paint and got into a little foul trouble making that even worse. Give the Badgers credit as they exposed the Mountaineers weaknesses and played better defense in the win. WV players will learn from this outing and adjust as they did in the loss to VT. The Mountaineers will regroup and head back to Morgantown for a Monday game against Loyola of Maryland. The Greyhounds will come in with a 3-1 record after narrowly losing to UConn by 10 on Tuesday. Have a Happy Thanksgiving Mountaineer fans wherever your country road has taken you this Thanksgiving Holiday.

While an ouchy, it was not a blowout. Agree it exposed our weak area's, but they did fight. Thinking it could have been a whole bunch worse. A lot of growing to do before we reach Big 12 play. A bit of concern with all the long rebounds going the other way, I could not see a lack of hustle tho, rather positional problems.