In 2005 you wondered “What if Louisville hadn’t closed the first half on a 7-0 run?”

A year later, “What if Frank Young closed out a split-second earlier … or was an inch taller?” Also muttered: “What if I drove to Austin and punched Kenton Paulino in the throat?”

Heck, I still wonder “What if the Mountaineers won that game?”

In 2007, you said, “What if Sosa was called for a travel?”

In 2008, it was “What if WVU didn’t help on the drive against Xavier?”

In 2009, “What if the Mountaineers were ready to play?”

This year’s what if seems preemptive rather than retroactive, but it’s worth mentioning. WVU is by several predictions a wise pick to get to the Sweet 16. Many say the Elite Eight. Some suggest Final Four. Others take one more step down the road. It’s interesting that so many optimistic outlooks share the same structure.

Why they can win: The Mountaineers proved how far a team can go on formidable rebounding, stout defense and all-out hustle this season, riding those three elements to a third place finish in the Big East and a conference tournament title. If West Virginia plays a close tournament game, there’s nobody you’d rather have to take the final shot than Da’Sean Butler, who hit two game-winners in the Big East tournament.

Everyone has the same thumbnail. Great effort. Very good rebounders of the basketball. Good defenders. … And, um, they play offense! The past week or two, we’ve seen the Mountaineers come to grips with the fact they are who they are — I know I’ve heard that somewhere before — and it is now up to them to win with it or lose because of it.

“I keep saying we’re going to make them because we shoot it too good,” he said. “But after 33 games, we’re probably not going to shoot it very good.”

It leads to a provocative question: What if WVU learned to shoot?

“Oh, my God,” forward Cam Thoroughman said. “I think it’s obvious … really obvious.”

If not, allow a Mountaineer to explain before the No. 2 seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament plays No. 15 seed Morgan State at 12:15 p.m. Friday at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, N.Y.

“Then I think we’d be a very dangerous team,” WVU sophomore forward Devin Ebanks said. “Once we start to do that, then I’d definitely say we should be a lock for the Final Four.”