Welcome to Tier 4! You are looking live at Iba-Gallagher Arena, another one of the unique and enjoyable Big 12 Conference atmospheres and site of today’s game. WVU will do it today without Matt Humphrey, who has come along as of late. He will sit today after aggravating his left shoulder, the same one he had operated on in August to fix a torn labrum.

More on that later. I really do like these Big 12 gyms and how one is not like the other. The big difference between the Big East and the Big 12, I think, is that the schools own and operate their buildings whereas in the Big East many teams share their space with pro basketball or hockey teams or other diversion. They’re larger and built for bigger crowds and to accommodate multiple teams and events.

These schools build and tailor their buildings to their own preferences. They’re smaller spaces, sometimes suited for smaller crowds, and they can put people where they want. Students are in optimal spots and pep bands are in the proper places. Today, seats reserved by WVU are right behind the bench.

I think I like this better.  And I know I like this: white sneaker day. Technically, it’s Suits and Sneakers weekend. Tenth annual, too, and it’s doubly cool because Bob Valvano is the commentator on ESPNU today.

I did not get the memo. One day, I’m playing along. Need to do something with those Starburys.

On to the next one …