The Diehard Breakdown: WVU 76 Kansas State 72

[WvuDieHard]

WVU stretches the season record to 19-5 tonight on the strength of it's bench. The WV bench scores 47 points and provided enough spark to carry the squad to the victory. The Mountaineers scored 46 1st half points to take an 11 point lead into the locker room at the half. The 2nd half saw the Mounties sputter while KS hung around until the wildcats when on a 9-0 run to take a brief 2 point lead. WV recovers and wins down the stretch.

WV was led in scoring by Brandon Watkins with 14 points off the bench. Watkins' play was surprising, to say the least, but his hustle around the rim was a bright spot for the Mounties. Watkins logged 9 rebounds and hit 6-8 from the field. Staten has 11 and Paige and Carter collect 10 points each. WV gets 17 TO's out of KS and 10 extra shots as a result. WV continues its ball security woes with another 15 TO's themselves while missing several open shots close to the rim.

So what do we take from this game? I see the same weaknesses here as I did when exposed earlier in the year by Texas and Baylor: the interior offense and defense is lacking. Tonight Watkins played well yet nothing from Williams and Holton but mistakes. Mistakes that continue to plague this club. We saw others make mistakes tonight turning it over as well. Again, the BB IQ seems to hide when this club gets a lead. Part of the problem here is the point guard missing free throws. Sorry but Wooden Award Finalist make their free throws. 5-10 at the charity strip isn't gonna cut it for my vote. So from here on, it is a road of glass and nails. Ya better have some mental toughness and you had better have learned from the previous ass beatings you took or they will be merciless again. Have a great day Mountaineer fans wherever your country road has taken you this chilly evening!

 

[GoldRusher]

Had to have this one and we got it. I think one more gets us in the tourney but Id like a few wins over these ranked teams coming up to put a bid in the bank.
This team has issues but imo could still give some teams problems in the tourney from a matchup/style of play standpoint.

 

[bbwvfan]

Difficult one to watch after seeing the team blow a late 10 point lead. Thought they were going to give it away.

Thankfully, they got the win. But, did not do much for my confidence.

Wanny is not the same player. Watkins is hurt. And, Holton is doing his best A. Murray impersonation.

Tough one coming up next. Could get ugly...

 

[DCWV4life]

As the season moves on I am amazed at how bad of a shooting team we are...doesn't matter where we are talking FG, FT or 3 PTers....not only do we have bad percentages, but if you watch the game these shots are not even close. How many attempts from 3 pt land hit nothing?

Thing I am worried about with making the Tourney is that if we only win one more game out of the rest of them that is going to leave a very sour taste in the committees mouth, we could miss out if that indeed does happen.

 

[DCWV4life]

“We let people shoot 56 percent because half the time we don’t even know what (defense) we’re in,” said Bob Huggins. “This has been a great group to coach, and today these guys were no fun to coach whatsoever.”

How not fun was it? Within the previous eight days West Virginia lost to Oklahoma by 19 and Baylor by 18, yet Huggins called this “by far our worst performance in months.”

 

[bbwvfan]

“We let people shoot 56 percent because half the time we don’t even know what (defense) we’re in,” said Bob Huggins. “This has been a great group to coach, and today these guys were no fun to coach whatsoever.”

How not fun was it? Within the previous eight days West Virginia lost to Oklahoma by 19 and Baylor by 18, yet Huggins called this “by far our worst performance in months.”

That Huggy quote had me scratching my head. The only thing I could come up with was the kids body language looked bad last night. Staten made some lazy passes, and Williams seemed in a fog all night. It looked like some of the players were chirping back at him... something I hadn't noticed before last night.

 

[DBAR4WVU]

Difficult one to watch after seeing the team blow a late 10 point lead. Thought they were going to give it away.

BB - I couldn't agree more. I wasn't that excited by the first half but at least they controlled and led at the break. But after the break?? When K St took the lead, I thought it was over. Total collapse.

But - they pulled it out and won. Play like that with any of the remaining opponents and they will lose.
I am not sure what is in the mind of these guys - but they are not very focused.