Welcome to the Friday Feedback, which opens today with some email:

Mike,
This depicts the unfortunate camera angle last night, and my view from the recliner.

B.

I guess the camera angles weren’t all that for the Capital Classic? If my score is correct, it’s “Things People Dislike About The Game 96, Things People Like About The Game 2.” And I’m not sure how much longer “Strongest Cheerleader Competition” can sustain its popularity. There was controversy Wednesday in what’s supposed to be a simple contest — male cheerleaders for each side hold female cheerleaders in their hands above their heads. Last one up wins.

Marshall won, but three women were holding one woman above their heads at the end. And Marshall had an extra team. People were legitimately upset when this happened.

Still, it’s pretty obvious that isn’t what tops the list of 96 or so things people don’t like. I received what I considered a pretty good email articulating the (possible) explanations for why the game is always so over-officiated. See if you agree:

The reason for the typically extraordinary number of fouls in the Marshall/WVU annual basketball game is something that can be researched and analyzed. It’s no mystery.

First, rivalry games are typically sloppy. This is especially true in football but also holds generally in other sports. In basketball, sloppy play translates into more fouls than usual. Why are rivalry games typically sloppy? Probably because more and atypical psychological factors are involved in rivalries, which bothers or breaks players’ concentration on the mechanics of the game.

Second, rivalry games are more likely to be intense and aggressive. Even if one side doesn’t get “up” for the game, the other side likely will be. Often both sides are especially jacked up. It seems Marshall almost always is. More intense and aggressive play in basketball typically means more fouls.

Third, the Marshall/WVU game (wholly unlike the Pitt/WVU rivalry game) is neither an Away game, nor a Home game, nor a Neutral Court game. It’s a Double Home game. Both teams essentially have Home-size and Home-fanatic crowds. Thus the dynamics are completely unique and unusually intense and chaotic, giving the game a kind of riotous atmosphere. This atmosphere carries over onto the floor and into both the players and referees (and coaches) minds and acts. Cam Thoroughman actually clapped enthusiastically after he got called as part of a double technical foul, a totally unique occurrence likely stemming from the unique atmosphere and circumstance of the M/WVU game. An especially chaotic or intense, riotous atmosphere will typically translate to more chaos on the floor, thus not only more fouls, but more inconsistent foul calls (which then translates into more fouls again because inconsistent fouls confuse players).

Now combine the effects of these three factors of the Marshall/WVU rivalry game: sloppy play, especially aggressive play, riotous atmosphere. The result is not unsurprising: chaos. Technical chaos. Relative chaos in the players, the refs, even the coaches and the crowd: and the ultimate result: a billion foul calls. Which is a situation that typically favors the underdog. Because it helps destroy the more talented team’s advantage in skill and technique.

These factors (and there are no doubt more) should be raised to the highest level of consciousness among the players and coaches and refs and fans, so that they may be overcome. At least the better team should want this. The underdog wants all the rivalry chaos it can get. WVU needs to wake up to the peculiar factors of this unique rivalry and learn how to master them.

Spot on, I say. But let’s not stop there. (Click the graphics to see them better.)

Attachment 1: 
Here’s how you kill any momentum in a basketball game

Attachment 2: 
Here’s ND-Cincy the same night by comparison (a lower scoring game, by the
way)

And that’s how we begin today. I literally had nothing to do with maybe the F Double’s best opening ever. I feel good.

Now, whatever you feel about the Capital Classic, the people who don’t like the game should probably get used to it. I can’t see the series going away. I can’t see it going home and gome — WVU doesn’t want/need to do that — and I can’t see Marshall accepting a 2-for-1 or something less than even because they do win in this series and generally provide a competitive, non-conference game that this season is good for WVU’s already-healthy RPI. Just a bad night, a curious lack of preparedness and a loss in a game WVU has lost before in the middle of a season that still turned out pretty good.

Onto the Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, get your facts straight.

Karl said:

Dave — It’s looking like Stew shouldn’t be assigned the blame or the credit for most of what happens next season. From all that’s been reported, it seems the coordinators are going to be operating pretty autonomously. We’ll have to see what the press says about the new coaching dynamic in the spring, but Stew’s role in play calling and game planning seems bound to be limited. Oddly, blame and credit may fall most fairly on Oliver Luck’s shoulders for this one year.

We’ll also have to see if Stew is assigned a position to coach — whatever happens on that front would be fair game. Mike, hear anything on this? I’m wondering if he (gulp) goes back to special teams. Maybe he’d be better the second time around since he won’t be burdened with so many of the duties that he’ll be ceding to Holgs and a lesser extent Casteel. Stew was once pretty good at special teams, right? If memory serves, he’s the one who drew up the fake punt call that sunk Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Knowing Stew like we do now, doesn’t a gutsy, impulsive, high-risk move like that seem so out of character?

I still feel like Stewart’s in a no-win. If the team does well, it could be perceived as though it’s in spite of him as opposed to because of him. If the team fails, then people could say it’s his fault and he should have gotten out of the way in the offseason. I might be wrong. That might not be what happens. I can see an outcome where he’s neither blamed nor credited, though I think that’s asking a lot of the fans. Stewart won’t coach a position. Those are covered. You make a point about the autonomy of Casteel and Holgorsen. Stewart can step away a bit, dig in as the CEO and maybe even pour a little more attention into special teams, which really, really need the help. 

Birch said:

Kevin Jones from Money Earnin’ Mount Vernon. That’s why I love Gus.

No argument. It should be noted, though, that’s what people from NYC call Mount Vernon.

Sam said:

How about Greg Anthony appreciatively remembering Lowes Moore? And how about Gus Johnson getting suckered into believing that the Coliseum is also known as The Madhouse? Uhh…since when?

(Game of the season.)

What if people continue to call the Coliseum “The Madhouse?” What then? I think Gus is capable of such things.

Bill said:

Not buying the Rod/Holgerson meeting rumor. We already have our staff hired for next year. Why would Dana want to hear what he has to say that couldnt be discussed over the phone and out of the public eye? Why would his staff be there? Is Dana concerned about the inner workings of the university? There is a new prez and athletic director since Bye Product was there.

Mike – how credible is your source?

Credible isn’t the word. Try “correct.” I don’t deal in rumors. And it was never once intimated Holgorsen was interviewing Rodriguez. Not by me. They were in shared company in the same place at the same time. That’s all.

roopoo said:

Holg’s strikes me as the type of person who doesn’t really care what people think. It just seems more his personality…more like Huggs than Stew, he doesn’t seem like he is going to sugar coat much or make excuses for much. I could be way off base, but that’s my take. Perhaps he doesn’t know that our fans are still borderline obessed with the whereabouts and actions of a man that jilted the state, University, and it’s fans.

Personally I don’t wish the man ill will, I just wish the WVU related conversations about him would stop, he chose not to be affliated with WVU, he doesn’t warrant discussion at this point.

I don’t yet know the guy, but I do get the impression Holgorsen is his own person — yes, more like Huggins than Stewart. In the end, he knows no one really cares. Maybe he should know his audience a little better, but maybe he just didn’t know. Or maybe he doesn’t care. Two weeks from now, who else cares?

glibglub said:

If they’re casual acquaintances, or if Holgs is chatting up RR about the lay of the land in the Big East, big deal. I don’t begrudge them having contact. Holgorsen probably doesn’t appreciate all that Rodriguez history / baggage. But someone should warn Holgorsen to turn a deaf ear if RR starts talking about some great real estate deal he knows about.

All good points. And what if Rodriguez was an invited guest? Suppose those handing out the invitation were important and/or wealthy people as they relate to WVU, the athletic department and the football program. These are the type of people Holgorsen probably needs to be aligned with and perhaps was that night. It’s difficult for me to expect Holgorsen to get up and walk away from that situation just because Rodriguez entered the picture as a friend of friends.

Dave said:

Maybe my question is better suited toward Mike on the RichRod issue.

Mike, I know there were rhetorical claims that “promises” were not met, but I recall that those were actually items being investigated (players selling books, HS coaches getting free passes, sideline control, etc.) and outside of the scope of the contract offered … more like addendums after-the-fact.

Were there actual promised items that were not delivered?

Eh, I really don’t want to go down this road so many years later, but he asked for things and says WVU declined. WVU says it never declined and was investigating the practicality of the requests. There were capital projects Rodriguez was also upset with because he said construction wasn’t on a pre-planned pace. WVU, of course, disagreed with that.

wvmaniac said:

Rod left because he tried to pull a political move and say “if you don’t give me what I want I’ll leave” and Eddie and Mike called him out and told him NO….So his options were to stay and not ask for anything for the next few years or leave.

When your athletic dept retroactively awards people instead of proactively helping coaches this is what happens….I don’t doubt that his lawyer shopped him around because the only way they would get WVU to make a progessive step is to say “I am looking” Like it or not thats how it was.

I talk about him because it was a great learning experience for an athletic department..For example, did you know Nikki Izzo-Brown was offer a UM job too? UM pulled the deal and WVU stepped up to the plate.

Alot of people talk how Holgerson, if he becomes a great head coach, will only leave WVU, but I think WVU with Luck learn to take care of his coaches proactively because of the Rod ordeal…

Yes, I did know that about Izzo-Brown. She eventually got the practice facility she wanted. That’s retroactive. It’s good to be proactive. It eliminates a whole lot of problems. It’s just not ideal. How can you apologize before you make someone mad? It’s an entirely fluid situation. You can be ahead of the game. You can definitely be behind. Mostly you can be as good as the what the day asks.

ccteam said:

The Istan Bull certainly is exciting. When he gets the ball, something is going to happen. It might be good-one of his baby hooks for example; or it might be bad-throwing the ball away or simply holding it long enough to let the defense collapse around him and then shooting it anyway instead of finding the open man. If he could cut down on unforced errors, he would be a real force. As Huggs very aptly pointed out, when he gets double teamed in the post, it frees others for rebounds or open shots.

Bingo. He was great in the first half Wednesday night, but WVU scored 21 points. He hardly played in the second  half and WVU scored 50 points. And on top of that, he can’t play in the matchup zone WVU played in the second half.

Sam said:

Truck has played out of position his entire career. He’s small for the position, but he seems much better at a 2 guard position. He’s constantly been forced into his current position by the lack of a backup PG. But at the 2, he could focus on scoring and rebounding more, two things he seems much, much better at than controlling the offense and finding the open man.

Fair enough and he’s developed into a much better rebounder, and just when Huggins asked, but he’s struggling with his shot and his scoring lately — 13-for-50 in the past five games, 52 points with 22 coming at the free-throw line. They just don’t have the number of guards they need to relieve the demands. Insert your Cottrill gripe here.

overtheSEC said:

The refs, in their attempt to call every violation available, missed a chance to call a double dribble. They’ll regret that one when they watch the tape

Blatant.

wvu304 said:

The “swinging elbows violation.”
BINGO!
Just filled my card.

Congrats.

overtheSEC said:

Breeding just whistled three more fouls, double technicals, and an illegal inbound pass but the other two refs told him it was just Marshall’s postgame celebration

Ah, had me going there.

Mr. M said:

That double technical — I’m still trying to figure that one out — the replay looked like the Marshall player got it called for saying something to Thoroughman — and Cam got one for … what, listening to him?

The players often react incredulously to a foul call as if they can’t believe the official blew the whistle. I rarely believe the player. Cam, though, is the exception. He usually owns his fouls and doesn’t often protest, unless when he believes he’s innocent … and I usually agree. His reaction Wednesday to the technican was priceless. Utter astonishment.

The 25314 said:

I thought it was very, very bad. But, WVU should be good enough, and is good enough, that they should be able to win against Marshall in spite of the officiating. Yes, WVU’s shooting was attrocious, but that, too, should have been overcome.

WVU down 7, Marshall misses the front end of a one and one, and Marshall gets the rebound. WVU down 5, Marshall misses their shot, but they have a dunk-tip. Box those guys out, and maybe its a different outcome. If Truck Bryant plays like anyone else besides Truck Bryant and doesn’t throw the ball out of bounds to no one twice in the first two minutes or Casey Mitchell focuses on making his break away rather than making a thunderous dunk, maybe things are different.

This team is not good enough to make stupid mistakes, and shoot poorly, and overcome poor officiating. For whatever reason, certain players on the team either won’t or aren’t capable of playing without committing inexcusable mental errors.

That was Huggins’ postgame press conference in a nutshell. And it’s true. It’s hard to ignore the officiating, but the story out of that game that will sustain is one that has already sustained this  season. WVU can’t make the mistakes it continues to make. It’s not different from the football team killing itself with penalties and turnovers again and again.

Carissa said:

Did one of the officials also officiate the horribly officiated game in the Puerto Rico Tip Off?

That’d be Doug Shows, who called the mess against Davidson. Didn’t like it then.

jtmountaineer said:

Mike, this is only partially related to last night’s game and perhaps more toward the Feedback, but what’s the deal with Jennings? Tony mentioned in the broadcast at one point that Huggins wasn’t going to him unless he had to, and his playing time has been pretty sparse most of the season. He was obviously in the doghouse the game he and Truck didn’t dress, but is he simply not progressing? Seems like we could use his size, especially when other big bodies are in foul trouble.

He’s just not there yet. Not progressing. He has flashes, but he has crash-and-burns, too. And try not to make too much of the PT Wednesday. For one — and someone else mentioned this — it was a foul fest. Jennings fouls a lot and he’s not a great free-throw  shooter. If he plays a lot and gets fouls, others play more and, as the logical flow would suggest, they get fouls. If Jennings plays and gets fouled, he has to shoot free throws and he’s 18-for-38 in his career. Possessions were important. WVU valued possessions in a comeback. Secondly, he’s not an offensive player and WVU absolutely needed points. Third, the younger guys couldn’t play that matchup zone. That’s something Huggins has to fix — and it’s on the incapable players to make themselves capable — but if a defense is working and certain players can’t play it, then those players get left behind. Jennings, like Kilicli, has a hard time playing zone.

ffekboc said:

Mike, did Huggins and Marshall’s #23 exchange words as the player walked towards his bench after a time out? Sure looked like it from my vantage point.

Didn’t see it, but did hear about it. Thought it was No. 24, DeAndre Kane, though.

overtheSEC said:

Please ask Cam what he said/what was said to him to earn the double technical!

You know I will.

KMS said:

According to John’s tweets, he is not the superstitious type. Truck asked Mountaineer Nation to declare a ban on John’s headband, but John was not so quick to agree. He said that if anyone could expain to him how a headband affects his play, then maybe he would consider. I don’t think that he is sold yet. When asked why he hasn’t been wearing one, his reply was because they stopped giving them to him because he always gives them away. We shall see if the headband makes a return.

I know a lot of you despise Twitter, but it is really quite good for some entertaining, yet completely unimportant information.

Amazing. I guess we’ll know more Sunday.

hershy112 said:

Maybe he finally realized the way he was wearing the headband wasn’t serving the purpose of a headband anyway.

I think that’s a much more likely story. I mean, really, the equipment manager stopped giving them to him because he kept giving them away? How much is a headband? Five dollars? Three? I’m not buying this explanation. I think WVU was done tempting gravtity. 

The Artist Formerly Known as EER96 said:

I have seen heaven…it is Huggs’ basement!

If this is Almost Heaven, I’m going to need to buy a Rosary.

Brother X said:

His wine cellar is bigger than your house, Mike! Wow.

That’s not true.

SheikYbuti said:

The new house may even be nicer than Holgorsen’s hotel room in Stillwater.

That’s probably true.

The 25314 said:

Did Oliver Luck try to steal Mickey’s Gran Torino?

Enjoy the weekend!