- West Virginia did not have it in the first half on Wednesday. Houston got out to a 10-2 lead and WVU looked like they were just rolling over. It was a much different performance in the second half but when you trail by 20 to a team like Houston at the break, that's almost always going to end up in an L
- WVU not having Small for a short chunk of that game really but a damper on their chances at coming back. Small exited with 9:05 to play and WVU trailing by six. While they would get it closer from that point on, Small came back with 6:43 to play and WVU trailing by 8. Even after that point, Small was not the same player. A healthy Small who plays the entire second half, and maybe this thing gets a little closer. Still, he was held to a season-low eight points, and took only seven shots, which was the fewest he’s taken in a game this season
- What WVU did to Houston in the second half was predicated by Sencire Harris’ pressure on the ball and him picking up Houston the length of the floor. He would get into foul trouble and WVU had to completely change what they were doing. He’s a spirited guy but he’s jawing at the other team and knows the officials are looking at it. Seconds later a hand check is called for a foul. Have to have the sense that the refs are going to be paying extra close attention to you. WVU’s defense wasn’t the same with him off the floor.
- Not a ton of explanation is needed here but WVU went 4/18 from three. They are now 12/68 in their last three games. Yikes
- Free throws were a huge part in the lack of a comeback. Multiple missed front ends of one-and-ones and WVU finished 5/11 at the line.
- Houston dominated WVU on the glass and that showed itself when the game got tight. UH out-rebounded WVU 34-19 and the UH had 16 second-chance points on the night.
- WVU not having Small for a short chunk of that game really but a damper on their chances at coming back. Small exited with 9:05 to play and WVU trailing by six. While they would get it closer from that point on, Small came back with 6:43 to play and WVU trailing by 8. Even after that point, Small was not the same player. A healthy Small who plays the entire second half, and maybe this thing gets a little closer. Still, he was held to a season-low eight points, and took only seven shots, which was the fewest he’s taken in a game this season
- What WVU did to Houston in the second half was predicated by Sencire Harris’ pressure on the ball and him picking up Houston the length of the floor. He would get into foul trouble and WVU had to completely change what they were doing. He’s a spirited guy but he’s jawing at the other team and knows the officials are looking at it. Seconds later a hand check is called for a foul. Have to have the sense that the refs are going to be paying extra close attention to you. WVU’s defense wasn’t the same with him off the floor.
- Not a ton of explanation is needed here but WVU went 4/18 from three. They are now 12/68 in their last three games. Yikes
- Free throws were a huge part in the lack of a comeback. Multiple missed front ends of one-and-ones and WVU finished 5/11 at the line.
- Houston dominated WVU on the glass and that showed itself when the game got tight. UH out-rebounded WVU 34-19 and the UH had 16 second-chance points on the night.
