Needless to say, West Virginia would be heading to Kansas City today in a better position than it is in had it beaten a Wisconsin team that was beatable that day or found Kevin Pangos before he got Gonzaga rolling or guarded Markell Brown a little closer and beaten Oklahoma State.

But how heavy today are losses to Virginia Tech and Purdue? Those look bad on the resume — a 5-12 mark against the RPI top 100 isn’t healthy, either — and serve are RPI killers for the Mountaineers, who today are No. 94 and, obviously, need a few wins in the Big 12 Tournament to make the NCAA Tournament.

I think that’s why you could have a debate about whether it was better to finish as the No. 6 seed or the No. 7. seed. I thought the No. 7 was more conducive, but I’ve come around on being No. 6. There’s something to be said about finishing in sixth place in the No. 1 RPI league and above Baylor and Oklahoma State, one or both of which is making the Big Dance. And there’s a little more value added when that spot is attained by beating Kansas.

Put it this way: WVU did itself no disservice by upsetting the Jayhawks.

I know, I know, few really expected the NCAA Tournament before and even within this season. Yes, the NIT is probably the  more fitting conclusion. But I promise you WVU is going to the Heart of America certain it deserves to be in the field of 68 and intent on proving it.

So the Mountaineers need some wins, but how many? Two? Three? Is it three? It feels like three.