--What an absolutely gutsy win by this West Virginia basketball team on the road. That was as much grit as I’ve seen from a Mountaineers team in a long time with quite literally everything on the line. The Mountaineers needed this game desperately and found a way to get it done despite all of the things that went against this team at different parts of this game. West Virginia went on a 9-0 run over a period of 3:28 down the stretch while holding Iowa State without a field goal over a 3:45 stretch before the late three. The program finished things out on the foul line, although they made it interesting, but this is the type of win that can save this team when it comes to getting into the tournament. I’m not sure this alone does it, but you’ve basically improved your resume significantly with a major road win. Remember, West Virginia has been 1-15 in road games in this league over the past two years prior to this trip and just went on the road and had a chance to win on the final possession against Kansas then did finish this one off in Ames. Anytime you get a season sweep over Iowa State it’s a good thing even with them struggling down the stretch. This isn’t it for this team and the work isn’t done by any means, but this team deserves to enjoy this one tonight because this is the type of effort that should make anybody proud.
--This game was 2:33 with 45 fouls, an ejection, injuries, technical fouls and everything in between but this team refused to fold and lose this game on the road. That says a lot about the desire of this club. Iowa State led 58-51, but was outscored on their home court 21-11 over the final 8:44 when everything said that this team was cooked. We had seen this movie before, but this team changed the ending.
--Now, with that being said it was another second half where West Virginia allowed 40+ points. That’s seven straight Big 12 games that has happened and it almost cost the Mountaineers again tonight. They allowed 42 in this one after holding Iowa State to 27 in the first half and the defense continues to be an issue. This team did step up down the stretch holding the Cyclones without a field goal when it mattered the most down the stretch of this game.
--No surprise here but West Virginia is a better offensive basketball team when they go small. Kobe Johnson did a good job on the defensive end in this one along with Joe Toussaint and several others. But the small lineup might be the only choice for this team against Kansas State depending on what unfolds.
--Not sure I’ve ever seen a team go on a 5-0 run after getting a player ejected, but it happened.
--Joe Toussaint was excellent in this game. In the first half scored 11 points, didn’t try to do too much offensively and hit shots that were open. He had 4 rebounds and an assist in 12 minutes in the first half and was at +10 overall for the Mountaineers. He was absolutely critical in the second on both ends of the floor making some game changing passes, scoring just enough and drawing a foul on the final possession. He finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and only 1 turnover.
--Erik Stevenson was the offense for large periods of this game scoring 23 points on 8-17 shooting. At times the senior guard gets out of control but he also makes plays in the same light. The 4 turnovers, especially many of them unforced, has to be avoided, but this team stayed afloat early because he was putting the ball in the basket and then some others picked up the slack.
--Kedrian Johnson was clearly banged up in this one but really made some impressive plays down the stretch of this game. After having 8 turnovers and no assists against Kansas, Johnson had 5 assists and 1 turnover tonight and had 2 steals and just made tough plays. He didn’t score the ball as much as he has of late, but Johnson did play a role in this one as his numbers show at a team-high 14.
--Emmitt Matthews really stepped up in this game as well and was critical in the second half especially. With the Mountaineers struggling inside, he was able to hit some shots as well as a pair of blocks. Matthews finished with 13 points and 4 rebounds and it was good to see him make an impact.
--Just a brutal all-around game for Tre Mitchell. He missed all five of his shots, turned the ball over twice and was ejected for a flagrant two foul. He played 25 minutes and was -13. Mitchell had been laying some really good basketball of late, but this was just a really bad performance all around and really hurt his team because of the lack of bigs due to injuries.
--I thought Pat Suemnick looked lost in the last game but he really took some steps forward in this one. He only had 3 points, but hustled by diving on the floor for loose balls and hustled. Yes, there were some situations that you’d like to see him avoid but if James Okonkwo is injured for any period of time the Mountaineers are going to need him to play minutes. Jimmy Bell is struggling especially on the defensive end although he was able to keep the ball alive with several offensive rebounds.
--Mentioned Kobe Johnson, but for most of the year I’ve felt he struggled but he really stepped up when he was on the floor tonight. He was +2.
--The five out on the inbounds play was something I had not seen. What an interesting wrinkle.
--West Virginia closed this game out at the foul line and overall shot 19-23. Anytime you make more free throws than your opponent takes it’s a massive advantage as Iowa State shot just 13-18.
--The Mountaineers had a 28-13 advantage in bench points.
--West Virginia now will play Kansas State at home with a chance to close out the regular season at home. The Mountaineers are now 17-13, 6-11 in the Big 12. That’s a resume that is going to have them right in the picture to get into the NCAA Tournament but there are still chances to further improve this and leave no doubt at all. Beat Kansas State to get to 18-13, 7-11 overall and I think the Mountaineers are going to be in regardless of what happens in Kansas City. Lose that game and you likely need to win at least one out there to feel confident in your chances. Still, this is one to enjoy and after an 0-5 start to Big 12 Conference play the Mountaineers have gone 6-6 in a league full of challenges.
--This game was 2:33 with 45 fouls, an ejection, injuries, technical fouls and everything in between but this team refused to fold and lose this game on the road. That says a lot about the desire of this club. Iowa State led 58-51, but was outscored on their home court 21-11 over the final 8:44 when everything said that this team was cooked. We had seen this movie before, but this team changed the ending.
--Now, with that being said it was another second half where West Virginia allowed 40+ points. That’s seven straight Big 12 games that has happened and it almost cost the Mountaineers again tonight. They allowed 42 in this one after holding Iowa State to 27 in the first half and the defense continues to be an issue. This team did step up down the stretch holding the Cyclones without a field goal when it mattered the most down the stretch of this game.
--No surprise here but West Virginia is a better offensive basketball team when they go small. Kobe Johnson did a good job on the defensive end in this one along with Joe Toussaint and several others. But the small lineup might be the only choice for this team against Kansas State depending on what unfolds.
--Not sure I’ve ever seen a team go on a 5-0 run after getting a player ejected, but it happened.
--Joe Toussaint was excellent in this game. In the first half scored 11 points, didn’t try to do too much offensively and hit shots that were open. He had 4 rebounds and an assist in 12 minutes in the first half and was at +10 overall for the Mountaineers. He was absolutely critical in the second on both ends of the floor making some game changing passes, scoring just enough and drawing a foul on the final possession. He finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and only 1 turnover.
--Erik Stevenson was the offense for large periods of this game scoring 23 points on 8-17 shooting. At times the senior guard gets out of control but he also makes plays in the same light. The 4 turnovers, especially many of them unforced, has to be avoided, but this team stayed afloat early because he was putting the ball in the basket and then some others picked up the slack.
--Kedrian Johnson was clearly banged up in this one but really made some impressive plays down the stretch of this game. After having 8 turnovers and no assists against Kansas, Johnson had 5 assists and 1 turnover tonight and had 2 steals and just made tough plays. He didn’t score the ball as much as he has of late, but Johnson did play a role in this one as his numbers show at a team-high 14.
--Emmitt Matthews really stepped up in this game as well and was critical in the second half especially. With the Mountaineers struggling inside, he was able to hit some shots as well as a pair of blocks. Matthews finished with 13 points and 4 rebounds and it was good to see him make an impact.
--Just a brutal all-around game for Tre Mitchell. He missed all five of his shots, turned the ball over twice and was ejected for a flagrant two foul. He played 25 minutes and was -13. Mitchell had been laying some really good basketball of late, but this was just a really bad performance all around and really hurt his team because of the lack of bigs due to injuries.
--I thought Pat Suemnick looked lost in the last game but he really took some steps forward in this one. He only had 3 points, but hustled by diving on the floor for loose balls and hustled. Yes, there were some situations that you’d like to see him avoid but if James Okonkwo is injured for any period of time the Mountaineers are going to need him to play minutes. Jimmy Bell is struggling especially on the defensive end although he was able to keep the ball alive with several offensive rebounds.
--Mentioned Kobe Johnson, but for most of the year I’ve felt he struggled but he really stepped up when he was on the floor tonight. He was +2.
--The five out on the inbounds play was something I had not seen. What an interesting wrinkle.
--West Virginia closed this game out at the foul line and overall shot 19-23. Anytime you make more free throws than your opponent takes it’s a massive advantage as Iowa State shot just 13-18.
--The Mountaineers had a 28-13 advantage in bench points.
--West Virginia now will play Kansas State at home with a chance to close out the regular season at home. The Mountaineers are now 17-13, 6-11 in the Big 12. That’s a resume that is going to have them right in the picture to get into the NCAA Tournament but there are still chances to further improve this and leave no doubt at all. Beat Kansas State to get to 18-13, 7-11 overall and I think the Mountaineers are going to be in regardless of what happens in Kansas City. Lose that game and you likely need to win at least one out there to feel confident in your chances. Still, this is one to enjoy and after an 0-5 start to Big 12 Conference play the Mountaineers have gone 6-6 in a league full of challenges.
