--One and done. It's simple as that. West Virginia had multiple chances to put some distance between themselves and Maryland and just couldn't make enough plays when it mattered the most. The Terrapins just beat them to loose balls in several critical situations and made plays to win this game. We can sit and wonder what it could be for all time, but West Virginia wasn't good enough today and heads home with a short stay in the tournament. For all the talk about being relieved to get out of Big 12 play, this team still had so many of the same mistakes and issues that plagued them over the past two months. Still, they continued to battle. The Mountaineers had a chance to win it, but couldn't make it at the end.
--West Virginia forced six turnovers in the first 9:09 to use an 14-0 run to lead 16-4 and the Mountaineers held Maryland scoreless for 7:39 in the process but really wasn't able to create enough distance given those struggles. Maryland then used a 16-2 run of their own to lead 22-21 with 6:04 left in the first half and then it was basically back-and-forth the rest of the way with runs for each team.
--The Mountaineers just had no answers against the matchup zone in the first half and really didn’t even know how to go about attacking it. Combine that with the struggles on the defensive end after that impressive start and it allowed the Terrapins to take a lead heading into the half. Maryland started 2/7 and finished 9/13 in the first half and really was able to get the ball in good position. Things were better in the second half once things settled in but that stretch allowed this to be a lot closer than it could.
--Maryland found ways to beat West Virginia to loose balls at multiple times down the stretch and the Terrapins were +10 in points in the paint. Those are two areas that the Mountaineers need to try not to lose.
--The officiating in this game was a mess. In the first half, they were calling things differently on different ends of the floor and the second it was just an all-out foul fest. The Terrapins got away with at least five or six illegal screens including one that basically all but knocked Emmitt Matthews out of the game. And the tipped ball at the end was critical due to the time it wasted on the clock when it appeared obvious that the ball went off Young. Don't get me wrong, officiating didn't cost West Virginia the game or give Maryland the win but it didn't help either team with how bad it was start to finish.
--West Virginia isn't in this game without senior guard Kedrian Johnson. He's been knocked around at times during his career but he was excellent in this game although his final attempt of his career fell short on the heave at the end of the game. Johnson on a 10-0 run in the second half when trailing 38-31 to put the Mountaineers ahead with three consecutive and-ones and finished this game with 27 points. He was 8-13 from the field and was +8 in the game.
--Erik Stevenson has been the catalyst for this team all season long offensively and he just didn't play well today and that sometimes happens. Stevenson hit some shots throughout the game, but his shot selection left a lot to be desired and seemed to really be pressing at times. In his final game he scored 9 points on 4-17 from the field and a lot of those were very difficult or challenged shots. It doesn't take away from his year in Morgantown at all and this team wouldn't be here without him but it definitely isn't how he wanted to finish things.
--Tre Mitchell had some moments in this one but also wasn't strong with the ball and got caught flat footed a few times. He finished with 13 points on 5-11 shooting but also had 4 turnovers and some of those were just really bad live ball situations getting it slapped away or a pass deflected. Mitchell really played much better down the stretch and is going to be a big part of this team next year if he returns, but he just has to play with a little more of an edge at times. He also had 6 rebounds.
--Joe Toussaint had some good moments in this one and played with his trademark toughness but at times was dribbling the ball too much. Yes, it's been a thing all year but the Mountaineers need him to develop more in that department if he comes back. He had 9 points in this one.
--Emmitt Matthews wasn't able to see the floor much in the second half after taking an illegal screen and getting hurt. It's a sad end to a very good comeback story. He only had 2 points but before this finished his career playing his best basketball.
--West Virginia is limited offensively with Pat Suemnick on the floor but he is the exact opposite of not playing strong as he gives great effort and just works hard on the glass. He isn't going to be able to bring much on the other end, but he was asked to play a lot of minutes and tried to hold his own the best he could.
--Jimmy Bell played only 11 minutes but was +7. Meanwhile, James Okonkwo played only 14 minutes and had 6 rebounds at +2. Those two being in foul trouble allowed Maryland to get some shots at the rim and really score with their best player on the bench in Young with four fouls.
--Maryland shot 51-percent and West Virginia shot 39-percent. The Mountaineers had 7 assists on 22 made baskets and too often were trying to play one-on-one or just create offense instead of really moving the ball.
--On the bright side, West Virginia was 7-11 on layups?
--West Virginia made 13-16 free throws, but Maryland got there more with 22 attempts and making 15 of those. Those two points are the difference in the game and it's been a recipe all year for this team to have success by getting to the line and they didn't do it enough today.
--Now begins the long off-season. Gone is Erik Stevenson, Emmitt Matthews and Kedrian Johnson for sure while there will be decisions from others on the roster whether they will return or enter the transfer portal. There's a long way to go when it comes to what this roster is going to look like next year but there's no question that this is a disappointing end for a team that was playing their best basketball down the stretch. It is ironic though that undisciplined basketball was ultimately their undoing.
--West Virginia forced six turnovers in the first 9:09 to use an 14-0 run to lead 16-4 and the Mountaineers held Maryland scoreless for 7:39 in the process but really wasn't able to create enough distance given those struggles. Maryland then used a 16-2 run of their own to lead 22-21 with 6:04 left in the first half and then it was basically back-and-forth the rest of the way with runs for each team.
--The Mountaineers just had no answers against the matchup zone in the first half and really didn’t even know how to go about attacking it. Combine that with the struggles on the defensive end after that impressive start and it allowed the Terrapins to take a lead heading into the half. Maryland started 2/7 and finished 9/13 in the first half and really was able to get the ball in good position. Things were better in the second half once things settled in but that stretch allowed this to be a lot closer than it could.
--Maryland found ways to beat West Virginia to loose balls at multiple times down the stretch and the Terrapins were +10 in points in the paint. Those are two areas that the Mountaineers need to try not to lose.
--The officiating in this game was a mess. In the first half, they were calling things differently on different ends of the floor and the second it was just an all-out foul fest. The Terrapins got away with at least five or six illegal screens including one that basically all but knocked Emmitt Matthews out of the game. And the tipped ball at the end was critical due to the time it wasted on the clock when it appeared obvious that the ball went off Young. Don't get me wrong, officiating didn't cost West Virginia the game or give Maryland the win but it didn't help either team with how bad it was start to finish.
--West Virginia isn't in this game without senior guard Kedrian Johnson. He's been knocked around at times during his career but he was excellent in this game although his final attempt of his career fell short on the heave at the end of the game. Johnson on a 10-0 run in the second half when trailing 38-31 to put the Mountaineers ahead with three consecutive and-ones and finished this game with 27 points. He was 8-13 from the field and was +8 in the game.
--Erik Stevenson has been the catalyst for this team all season long offensively and he just didn't play well today and that sometimes happens. Stevenson hit some shots throughout the game, but his shot selection left a lot to be desired and seemed to really be pressing at times. In his final game he scored 9 points on 4-17 from the field and a lot of those were very difficult or challenged shots. It doesn't take away from his year in Morgantown at all and this team wouldn't be here without him but it definitely isn't how he wanted to finish things.
--Tre Mitchell had some moments in this one but also wasn't strong with the ball and got caught flat footed a few times. He finished with 13 points on 5-11 shooting but also had 4 turnovers and some of those were just really bad live ball situations getting it slapped away or a pass deflected. Mitchell really played much better down the stretch and is going to be a big part of this team next year if he returns, but he just has to play with a little more of an edge at times. He also had 6 rebounds.
--Joe Toussaint had some good moments in this one and played with his trademark toughness but at times was dribbling the ball too much. Yes, it's been a thing all year but the Mountaineers need him to develop more in that department if he comes back. He had 9 points in this one.
--Emmitt Matthews wasn't able to see the floor much in the second half after taking an illegal screen and getting hurt. It's a sad end to a very good comeback story. He only had 2 points but before this finished his career playing his best basketball.
--West Virginia is limited offensively with Pat Suemnick on the floor but he is the exact opposite of not playing strong as he gives great effort and just works hard on the glass. He isn't going to be able to bring much on the other end, but he was asked to play a lot of minutes and tried to hold his own the best he could.
--Jimmy Bell played only 11 minutes but was +7. Meanwhile, James Okonkwo played only 14 minutes and had 6 rebounds at +2. Those two being in foul trouble allowed Maryland to get some shots at the rim and really score with their best player on the bench in Young with four fouls.
--Maryland shot 51-percent and West Virginia shot 39-percent. The Mountaineers had 7 assists on 22 made baskets and too often were trying to play one-on-one or just create offense instead of really moving the ball.
--On the bright side, West Virginia was 7-11 on layups?
--West Virginia made 13-16 free throws, but Maryland got there more with 22 attempts and making 15 of those. Those two points are the difference in the game and it's been a recipe all year for this team to have success by getting to the line and they didn't do it enough today.
--Now begins the long off-season. Gone is Erik Stevenson, Emmitt Matthews and Kedrian Johnson for sure while there will be decisions from others on the roster whether they will return or enter the transfer portal. There's a long way to go when it comes to what this roster is going to look like next year but there's no question that this is a disappointing end for a team that was playing their best basketball down the stretch. It is ironic though that undisciplined basketball was ultimately their undoing.
