I don’t know why, but it was my observation — and a rather immediate one — Syracuse was better and was going to be better Wednesday night.

Even though it’s not loud or tightly packed, the Dome is a rough place to play. Jonny Flynn is as tough a cover as there is in the Big East, particularly for WVU, and Eric Devendorf was hot for the home crowd. Throw in Paul Harris, who does about seven things pretty well, and it’s just a bad combo for the Mountaineers.

To that, they couldn’t rebound, which usually covers up some deficiencies, like not being able to guard. The bench offered very little, either, once Wellington Smith went to the bench with two fouls after playing well early on.

And yet Bob Huggins was very optimistic his team would be OK and “figure out a way to get 10 or 11” conference wins. I guess when you’re so small, things are always looking up. (I’m sorry … )

“We’ve got some guys who aren’t very skilled,” Huggins said. “Let’s be honest. But they’re going to play hard. They’re great kids and we will win. We will win. Before all is said and done, we’re going to be fine because they are good kids. But it’s hard. We have to play every game like it’s for the championship.”