--No. 11 West Virginia came into this one calling it a ‘statement game’ and I do think the Mountaineers announced to the rest of the nation that they are certainly for real. A few breaks here and there and we might have a different result, but after an up-and-down performance in South Dakota over three games, West Virginia looked the part against No. 1 Gonzaga in this one. Some really questionable officiating, some miscues that led to transition buckets and some lapses late led to the 87-82 loss, but this team had a chance to win this one heading into the final minutes of the game. That’s a very deep and talented team that is especially good on the offensive end and the Mountaineers forced their style of basketball for a large chunk of this game. I think you take away that there is certainly room for improvement, but the building blocks are there for this team to be special.
--Transition killed the Mountaineers in this one. Either off turnovers, or bad shots, anytime Gonzaga was able to get out and run it typically led to baskets for the Bulldogs. They held a 25-4 edge in fast break points and overall transition that was even worse. That was a big reason Gonzaga was able to battle back because they really struggled at times in the half court against the physical play of West Virginia. Gonzaga also had 23 points off 15 West Virginia turnovers in this one.
--The Zags did figure out some things in the second half and scored 40 points in the paint in that frame, after only allowing 20 in the first. They were able to get some easy buckets in transition as well as some off ball screens and back cuts. They were at 1.233 points per possession in the second half. Gonzaga had 22 assists on 34 made baskets and really moved the ball well at times.
--Junior Derek Culver missed some free throws late and had a missed rebound opportunity, but he battled yet again and put together a very strong performance despite foul trouble. He finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds, after coming into the game averaging 15 and 10. You couldn’t ask for more than what you’ve gotten out of him over the first four games of the year. He blamed himself for losing the ball off blind side help, but he once again played a strong game.
--Rare off game for Miles McBride who only made 4-14 from the field and finished with 10 points. He had some really good looks that he usually makes, but the ball simply didn’t drop for him. He did have 5 assists and 3 rebounds, but his shot just wasn’t falling tonight.
--When sophomore Oscar Tshiebwe was on the floor, he was very good in this one. He only was able to play 21 minutes due to foul trouble and eventually fouling out, but he finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds. He did get caught on the defensive end and in transition a few times, but overall, it was a much more inspiring effort than he had put together to date. That’s a really good sign.
--The two bigs had 17 points and 17 rebounds at the half but was at only 15 points and 7 rebounds in the second. That was a big change in the second frame.
--Junior Sean McNeil struggled yet again hitting only 1-9 shots. He is now 14-49 on the season (28-percent) and 8-29 (27.5-percent) from three. The Mountaineers need him to hit those shots and right now it just isn’t going down for him. You like the confidence, but at some point, those have to go through the bottom of the net to justify taking those looks. I can tell you thought, I don’t remember the last time I’ve ever seen a player get elbowed in the head to the point it draws blood and get called for the foul. Huggins did say that he wasn’t the same after that.
--Senior guard Taz Sherman wasn't as hot as he was the first three games, but he has still been the most consistent shooter on the roster. He needs more minutes.
--Senior forward Gabe Osabuohien only played 14 minutes in this one but finished with 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, drew a charge and played excellent defense. He continues to be ‘the’ glue guy on this team and the Mountaineers are just simply better when he is on the floor. He was +14 in his 14 minutes today and that is a testament to his impact on the game.
--Freshman Isaiah Cottrell was forced into more action than usual tonight due to foul concerns and really you saw flashes of why so many are high on him. He has a way to go, but he has a nice touch shooting the ball and brings an element there that the Mountaineers don’t have. His future is bright.
--West Virginia was 27-33 from the foul line and five of those misses were Culver.
--West Virginia was only 5-17 from three in this one and Miles McBride made two of those. The Mountaineers were 2-10 in the second half.
--The Mountaineers were +5 on the glass and only +4 on the offensive end. They got three less shots than Gonzaga which obviously is never want you want to see with this team.
--It’s onto the next one. You’re 3-1 and now get a trip to Georgetown. Clean some things up and back to the drawing board on what could still be a very special season.
--Transition killed the Mountaineers in this one. Either off turnovers, or bad shots, anytime Gonzaga was able to get out and run it typically led to baskets for the Bulldogs. They held a 25-4 edge in fast break points and overall transition that was even worse. That was a big reason Gonzaga was able to battle back because they really struggled at times in the half court against the physical play of West Virginia. Gonzaga also had 23 points off 15 West Virginia turnovers in this one.
--The Zags did figure out some things in the second half and scored 40 points in the paint in that frame, after only allowing 20 in the first. They were able to get some easy buckets in transition as well as some off ball screens and back cuts. They were at 1.233 points per possession in the second half. Gonzaga had 22 assists on 34 made baskets and really moved the ball well at times.
--Junior Derek Culver missed some free throws late and had a missed rebound opportunity, but he battled yet again and put together a very strong performance despite foul trouble. He finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds, after coming into the game averaging 15 and 10. You couldn’t ask for more than what you’ve gotten out of him over the first four games of the year. He blamed himself for losing the ball off blind side help, but he once again played a strong game.
--Rare off game for Miles McBride who only made 4-14 from the field and finished with 10 points. He had some really good looks that he usually makes, but the ball simply didn’t drop for him. He did have 5 assists and 3 rebounds, but his shot just wasn’t falling tonight.
--When sophomore Oscar Tshiebwe was on the floor, he was very good in this one. He only was able to play 21 minutes due to foul trouble and eventually fouling out, but he finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds. He did get caught on the defensive end and in transition a few times, but overall, it was a much more inspiring effort than he had put together to date. That’s a really good sign.
--The two bigs had 17 points and 17 rebounds at the half but was at only 15 points and 7 rebounds in the second. That was a big change in the second frame.
--Junior Sean McNeil struggled yet again hitting only 1-9 shots. He is now 14-49 on the season (28-percent) and 8-29 (27.5-percent) from three. The Mountaineers need him to hit those shots and right now it just isn’t going down for him. You like the confidence, but at some point, those have to go through the bottom of the net to justify taking those looks. I can tell you thought, I don’t remember the last time I’ve ever seen a player get elbowed in the head to the point it draws blood and get called for the foul. Huggins did say that he wasn’t the same after that.
--Senior guard Taz Sherman wasn't as hot as he was the first three games, but he has still been the most consistent shooter on the roster. He needs more minutes.
--Senior forward Gabe Osabuohien only played 14 minutes in this one but finished with 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, drew a charge and played excellent defense. He continues to be ‘the’ glue guy on this team and the Mountaineers are just simply better when he is on the floor. He was +14 in his 14 minutes today and that is a testament to his impact on the game.
--Freshman Isaiah Cottrell was forced into more action than usual tonight due to foul concerns and really you saw flashes of why so many are high on him. He has a way to go, but he has a nice touch shooting the ball and brings an element there that the Mountaineers don’t have. His future is bright.
--West Virginia was 27-33 from the foul line and five of those misses were Culver.
--West Virginia was only 5-17 from three in this one and Miles McBride made two of those. The Mountaineers were 2-10 in the second half.
--The Mountaineers were +5 on the glass and only +4 on the offensive end. They got three less shots than Gonzaga which obviously is never want you want to see with this team.
--It’s onto the next one. You’re 3-1 and now get a trip to Georgetown. Clean some things up and back to the drawing board on what could still be a very special season.
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