–This just wasn’t the night for West Virginia in basically all areas of this basketball game. Arizona controlled this one and outside a few runs to make things interesting, the Mountaineers just seemed out of sorts on defense and couldn’t generate enough on offense. Yes, this team’s depth has been really challenged but Arizona was just the better team tonight and it really isn’t up for debate. Gone is the seven game win streak and unfortunately it came one day after the Mountaineers got back into the national polls. Still, it’s a harsh reminder of the meat grinder that this league can be.
–West Virginia had allowed 39 points in the past two games in the first half and Arizona had 39 by themselves in this game and didn’t let up in the second half scoring 34 points. The Wildcats were able to get to the rim way too easily at times and even when the Mountaineers did play good half court defense it just seemed that they would find a way to hit a tough shot. The Wildcats had 36 points in the paint and to their credit found a way to hit some big shots when the Mountaineers tried to make it interesting in the second half. There was one sequence where the Mountaineers made six consecutive field goals and cut the lead down to just five, but that was as close as they’d get. Arizona moved the ball well in this game and had 15 assists on 31 made baskets. It was the first time in a while that it seemed like the defense just was out of sorts.
–Offensively, West Virginia was out of sorts it seemed like the entire night. The Mountaineer shot just 36-percent from the field and struggled to string together any consistent offense, At times there were opportunities to get the ball at the rim and something would go awry and lead to a basket for the Wildcats. Javon Small is having to carry a major load right now and it’s a lot to ask.
–Small was the only player for West Virginia in double figures but he was 6-17 from the floor.
–Another tough one is coming up on the road at Colorado but that’s the nature of this league. This team needs to get some players back because KJ Tenner was definitely missed tonight along with some of the others.
–West Virginia had allowed 39 points in the past two games in the first half and Arizona had 39 by themselves in this game and didn’t let up in the second half scoring 34 points. The Wildcats were able to get to the rim way too easily at times and even when the Mountaineers did play good half court defense it just seemed that they would find a way to hit a tough shot. The Wildcats had 36 points in the paint and to their credit found a way to hit some big shots when the Mountaineers tried to make it interesting in the second half. There was one sequence where the Mountaineers made six consecutive field goals and cut the lead down to just five, but that was as close as they’d get. Arizona moved the ball well in this game and had 15 assists on 31 made baskets. It was the first time in a while that it seemed like the defense just was out of sorts.
–Offensively, West Virginia was out of sorts it seemed like the entire night. The Mountaineer shot just 36-percent from the field and struggled to string together any consistent offense, At times there were opportunities to get the ball at the rim and something would go awry and lead to a basket for the Wildcats. Javon Small is having to carry a major load right now and it’s a lot to ask.
–Small was the only player for West Virginia in double figures but he was 6-17 from the floor.
–Another tough one is coming up on the road at Colorado but that’s the nature of this league. This team needs to get some players back because KJ Tenner was definitely missed tonight along with some of the others.
