--West Virginia knew coming into this game that this was a chance to really solidify their NCAA resume and this team responded on Senior Night at Utah winning a closely contested game throughout 71-69. This game was a battle and the Mountaineers made just enough plays down the stretch to close this one out despite trying to make it interesting down the stretch. West Virginia looked dead in the water in the first half falling behind by a dozen, but made a run to take a one-point halftime lead and then gutted this one out the rest of the way. This team really showed a lot of grit despite dealing with foul trouble and struggling to put the ball in the basket for extended stretches. But in the end they split the road trip and head into the finale against Central Florida at home with some much needed momentum. This Utah team was 15-3 at home, but West Virginia found a way to get it done.
--West Virginia held Utah to 38-percent from the floor, but did send them to the line 32 times. Granted they only made 22 of those attempts but the ball pressure from the Mountaineers seemed to really bother the Utes at times and forced 16 turnovers. West Virginia's offense looked much better when they were able to get out and run for long stretches of this game and the defense helped to generate the ability to get out and run. Still, 14 assists on 26 made baskets isn't a bad number and 46-percent from the field isn't either.
--West Virginia shot less threes (23-28) and had more points in the paint (30-20) but still shot 16 less free throws and the gap was a lot wider before the Utes fouled at the end to extend the game. This has been a reoccurring theme with this team and some of it is the jump shooting but that difference is often hard to make up.
--Javon Small just makes plays. He hit the three to put the Mountaineers ahead and then his basket to put them back up four was a thing of beauty. He finished this game with 18 points on 7-14 shooting to go along with 7 assists but when it mattered most he made critical plays for this team like he has all season.
--Can we just all give it up for Eduardo Andre? He took a massive elbow to the face in the first half that left him bloodied and on the floor, and not only came back after halftime but made some absolutely critical plays down the stretch in the pick and roll. He only had 4 points and 3 rebounds, but they all seemed quite significant.
--Joe Yesufu had 12 points, but his three after Utah had made a three to cut the lead to just two felt like a dagger at the time although we know it wasn't. He then made a pair of free throws to make it 70-64 which was quite significant considering what unfolded giving up five points in rapid succession down the stretch. Yesufu also got his hand on the potential game winning three-pointer at the end. He made some big plays for West Virginia in this game when they really needed it.
--Amani Hansberry missed some shots at the rim, but played well again with 12 points and 6 rebounds. He also had 2 steals and a block and led the team at +4. It's good to see him have confidence in his shot again because this team needs it desperately.
--Jonathan Powell was 4-7 from the floor and finished with 12 points as well. It was all hands on deck in a must win and it was good to see Powell put the ball on the floor and few times and score. Like the others on this list, West Virginia needed all of his contributions. Sencire Harris did his normal thing along with Toby Okani but both also dealt with foul trouble. They both scored 6 and I thought Harris passed the ball well at times, too.
--West Virginia was careless with the ball at times in this one too and had 12 turnovers themselves. That led to 14 points for Utah.
--They got away with it but that close was abysmal. West Virginia gave up an offensive rebound for a kick out three. Turned the ball over and allowed a layup and then only made one of two free throws. Yesufu made the play at the end but that could have been a disaster and shades of Cincinnati all over again.
--+9 on the glass for Utah and 14-8 on offensive rebounds which led to a +7 in second chance points. West Virginia has to clean up the defensive glass.
--West Virginia now is up to six quadrant one victories and is at 18-12 and 9-10 in the Big 12 with the final regular season game of the season remaining at UCF. Given the resume, I feel good about the NCAA Tournament chances right now but beating the Knights would almost lock things up. The Mountaineers came into this week knowing that a 2-0 performance likely seals the deal for them and that's still in play after holding on in a wild finish against Utah. Still, the goal of playing games that matter is still very much alive in March and this was just a good win all around. Now, it's time to finish it at home with a sold out crowd to leave any doubt there could still be out there.
--West Virginia held Utah to 38-percent from the floor, but did send them to the line 32 times. Granted they only made 22 of those attempts but the ball pressure from the Mountaineers seemed to really bother the Utes at times and forced 16 turnovers. West Virginia's offense looked much better when they were able to get out and run for long stretches of this game and the defense helped to generate the ability to get out and run. Still, 14 assists on 26 made baskets isn't a bad number and 46-percent from the field isn't either.
--West Virginia shot less threes (23-28) and had more points in the paint (30-20) but still shot 16 less free throws and the gap was a lot wider before the Utes fouled at the end to extend the game. This has been a reoccurring theme with this team and some of it is the jump shooting but that difference is often hard to make up.
--Javon Small just makes plays. He hit the three to put the Mountaineers ahead and then his basket to put them back up four was a thing of beauty. He finished this game with 18 points on 7-14 shooting to go along with 7 assists but when it mattered most he made critical plays for this team like he has all season.
--Can we just all give it up for Eduardo Andre? He took a massive elbow to the face in the first half that left him bloodied and on the floor, and not only came back after halftime but made some absolutely critical plays down the stretch in the pick and roll. He only had 4 points and 3 rebounds, but they all seemed quite significant.
--Joe Yesufu had 12 points, but his three after Utah had made a three to cut the lead to just two felt like a dagger at the time although we know it wasn't. He then made a pair of free throws to make it 70-64 which was quite significant considering what unfolded giving up five points in rapid succession down the stretch. Yesufu also got his hand on the potential game winning three-pointer at the end. He made some big plays for West Virginia in this game when they really needed it.
--Amani Hansberry missed some shots at the rim, but played well again with 12 points and 6 rebounds. He also had 2 steals and a block and led the team at +4. It's good to see him have confidence in his shot again because this team needs it desperately.
--Jonathan Powell was 4-7 from the floor and finished with 12 points as well. It was all hands on deck in a must win and it was good to see Powell put the ball on the floor and few times and score. Like the others on this list, West Virginia needed all of his contributions. Sencire Harris did his normal thing along with Toby Okani but both also dealt with foul trouble. They both scored 6 and I thought Harris passed the ball well at times, too.
--West Virginia was careless with the ball at times in this one too and had 12 turnovers themselves. That led to 14 points for Utah.
--They got away with it but that close was abysmal. West Virginia gave up an offensive rebound for a kick out three. Turned the ball over and allowed a layup and then only made one of two free throws. Yesufu made the play at the end but that could have been a disaster and shades of Cincinnati all over again.
--+9 on the glass for Utah and 14-8 on offensive rebounds which led to a +7 in second chance points. West Virginia has to clean up the defensive glass.
--West Virginia now is up to six quadrant one victories and is at 18-12 and 9-10 in the Big 12 with the final regular season game of the season remaining at UCF. Given the resume, I feel good about the NCAA Tournament chances right now but beating the Knights would almost lock things up. The Mountaineers came into this week knowing that a 2-0 performance likely seals the deal for them and that's still in play after holding on in a wild finish against Utah. Still, the goal of playing games that matter is still very much alive in March and this was just a good win all around. Now, it's time to finish it at home with a sold out crowd to leave any doubt there could still be out there.
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