The Diehard Breakdown: WVU 87 Texas Tech 81

[WvuDieHard]

When these 2 teams meet up, it always seems that it will be a barn burner. Tonight’s game was no exception. WV comes out of the gate on fire hitting its first six 3 point shots to take a 20-10 lead. That lead didn’t last long as Texas Tech goes on a 16-0 run to take a 26-20 lead. Now this is where I question WV’s basketball IQ and/or lack of knowledge on the scouting report. When the other team puts a short white kid into the game, why do you think he is there? To rebound? Just pass the ball? Fuck no, he is there to rip your guts out shooting 3’s---and Hannahs did. Fortunately, Huggs realized Harris would not stick on him and put Browne on him to stop him from running us out the gym. After that adjustment, WV settled down to take a 40-36 lead with 1.5 seconds left in the 1st half. Again another mental mistake by throwing the ball the length of the floor and no one touched it. Ball comes back on the other end to Texas Tech and they bang a buzzer beating 3 to close out the first half. Instead of a 4point lead, WV goes in up 40-39 at the break. Oh those little mistakes.
The 2nd half started much like the 1st half for WV as they scored the first 7 points to take a 47-39 lead. Terry Henderson continued to carry the hot hand making 3’s and slashing to the bucket for driving lay ups. And much like the 1st half, Hannahs heated up and nailed 2 3’s and a 2 pointer to cut the lead to 4 at 61-57. You would think that the #1 priority would be to glue the short white kid huh? So, in comes Gary Browne and he slowed him down and had a big steal as the Mountaineers opened up an 8 point advantage at the 7:00 mark left in the half. WV went on to open up a 13 point lead on a 3 by Adrian but struggled down the stretch to put the Red Raiders away eventually holding on for a 6 point win.


Key Stats: WV wins the battle of the glass 29-26 while committing only 7 turnovers. WV shoots 53.7% from the field and makes 18-21 free throws. Terry Henderson led all scorers with 28pts on 10-13 shooting including 5-6 from behind the arc. Staten chips in16pts to go along with 7 assists and 5 rebounds, Harris adds 15 and Adrian 10. The bench seemed to provide the spark tonight but it was a career day for Mr. Henderson as he showed flashes of Penny Hardaway with his slashing and shooting.
Overall you like wins but you would like to see the mistakes cleaned up as they cost you games over time. You might get away with mistakes against TCU or TT but not the rest of this league. Hannahs ended up shooting 7-7 behind the arc and torched us for 25 points. When will they begin to recognize the shooter? In WV’s defense, Hannahs shot the lights out of it including some circus bullshit. But you gotta guard those guys in this league and every team has one.
In today’s DIEHARD DID YOU KNOW SEGMENT: Did you know the Big 12 has 6 teams ranked in the top 25? Anybody want to argue me that this conference is not the best in America? I believe it is right now and many others more qualified than me believe so too. Have a good evening Mountaineer fans and stay warm wherever your Country Road has taken you!

 

[bbwvfan]

I noticed last night the kids were switching in their man coverage for good chunks of the game. That was a staple of Huggy's defense, and even Beilein's boys picked up on it quickly. Interesting to see a true freshmen directing guys like Henderson or Noreen on when or who to switch with.

Henderson must have read my recent critique. Loved watching him take his man to the rim. It is pretty elementary stuff… if your defender is playing tight to affect getting off the shot… beat him off the dribble to the rim. You gotta be able to handle the rock, but for any player… this is elementary.

Once you beat your man off the dribble a few times, they have to play off. There's your space to get off your shot.

Pick your poison…

 

[WvuDieHard]

You know, early on it looked like Harris was going to be the man but it seems he has regressed a little. He is not as patient as he should be. Harris needs to let the game come to him a little more because he starts his jumper from the waist and that gives the defender just a split second more time to defend. Harris has to have an open shot to be effective. Henderson on the other hand looks more and more like he will be the man over the next 2 years because he learning to take it to the rack while maintaining a deadly outside shooting stroke. The fun part about this club over the next two years will be watching Henderson get even better.