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WvuDieHard
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So all of you have heard the cliché, "Good Defense wins Championships" right? The truth to that statement was found in the Championship game of Puerto Rico Tip Off Classic between WV and UConn. The Mountaineers used a smothering defense to storm out to a 15 point lead (47-32) at halftime and held on down the stretch to snap the longest winning streak in College Basketball (10 games). UConn, the Defending National Champions of last year, struggled against the relentless full court pressure of WV by committing 19 turnovers. I don't think I have ever saw a UConn club as rattled as I saw tonight. The only thing that would have made this win sweeter was if Jim Calhoun was there as well.
WV was led by Jawan Staten's 21 points. The pre season All American candidate knocked down 9-12 free throws to help seal the win. Holton and Miles. Jr. chipped in 12 and 10 respectively to round out the only double figure scorers on this evening. Yet, this game was not about scoring, it was about defense. A defense that had 11 steals and had UConn trash talking and completely out of character. What was most impressive about this performance, was people actually knew there assignment pretty good. Very few breakdowns in the press and the half court defense. WV got out rebounded in the game (40-35) but mostly because Williams and Holton got into foul trouble and sat most of the first 12 minutes of the 2nd half.
Key observations:
1)Miles can shoot. This kid is a much better shooter than I thought. He can stroke the 3 ball. He has hit big shots the last 2 games. For a freshman, he is impressive.
2)Holton on the point in the press is going to give any team in America fits. His wing span must be 9-10 feet. He is the cog to the press.
3) Hall of fame coaching move of the day goes to Huggs for setting Williams and Holton til the 8 minute mark of the 2nd half. That was a huge factor in winning this game.
So all in all, I could not be happier with the start to this season. We are 5-0 and I promise you this team will be ranked next week. No question this is a top 25 team and a team that is going to give the Big 12 a nightmare. What I like the most is nobody is bitching. Everyone of these kids is buying into the system. No complaining about minutes when you use 9-10 players in every game huh? Now you want to know the scary part of this equation? This team is going to get better when Brandon Watkins comes back. You have to be excited for the basketball program after these last 2 games. Cant wait to see more. Have a great day Mountaineer Fans wherever your country road has taken you!
WV was led by Jawan Staten's 21 points. The pre season All American candidate knocked down 9-12 free throws to help seal the win. Holton and Miles. Jr. chipped in 12 and 10 respectively to round out the only double figure scorers on this evening. Yet, this game was not about scoring, it was about defense. A defense that had 11 steals and had UConn trash talking and completely out of character. What was most impressive about this performance, was people actually knew there assignment pretty good. Very few breakdowns in the press and the half court defense. WV got out rebounded in the game (40-35) but mostly because Williams and Holton got into foul trouble and sat most of the first 12 minutes of the 2nd half.
Key observations:
1)Miles can shoot. This kid is a much better shooter than I thought. He can stroke the 3 ball. He has hit big shots the last 2 games. For a freshman, he is impressive.
2)Holton on the point in the press is going to give any team in America fits. His wing span must be 9-10 feet. He is the cog to the press.
3) Hall of fame coaching move of the day goes to Huggs for setting Williams and Holton til the 8 minute mark of the 2nd half. That was a huge factor in winning this game.
So all in all, I could not be happier with the start to this season. We are 5-0 and I promise you this team will be ranked next week. No question this is a top 25 team and a team that is going to give the Big 12 a nightmare. What I like the most is nobody is bitching. Everyone of these kids is buying into the system. No complaining about minutes when you use 9-10 players in every game huh? Now you want to know the scary part of this equation? This team is going to get better when Brandon Watkins comes back. You have to be excited for the basketball program after these last 2 games. Cant wait to see more. Have a great day Mountaineer Fans wherever your country road has taken you!
