We have our annual NCAA Tournament pool.

Link: http://tinyurl.com/o5h9gg5
Password: itwasaredjacket

A few of you offered to help as scorekeepers for the NIT pool. Much appreciated, but I was only kidding when I solicited that. As much as I don’t want to keep score manually, I don’t want to outsource it. I’m nevertheless flattered you offered.

I’m on the way to Georgetown with Scoop & Score graduate Justin Jackson. His life keeps getting better since the appearance. Speaking of, Randy McClure from Rush the Court will be the guest Thursday morning. Whatever will we discuss? No, really. What? Feel free to suggest some questions. (Disclaimer: That might happen or it might not. If I’m traveling Thursday for a NIT game Friday, prepare for a Best of Scoop & Score.)

While I’m gone, entertain yourselves with what’s happening to the WVU basketball teams.

The men’s team doesn’t know quite what to expect tonight against Georgetown.

“We’re going to try to worry about doing the things that we need to do,” Huggins said.

The schedule complicates that. The NIT’s selection show started at 8:30 p.m. Sunday and WVU was revealed in the 14th of 16 games in the half-hour program. Practice Sunday was before the selection show and Monday’s practice was the only one dedicated to the Hoyas and what they do on offense with perpetual motion and an endless series of screens and cuts.

Georgetown generally gets into the paint and to the rim, whereas WVU’s defense hasn’t been able to keep opponents out of the paint and has no one to protect the rim.

“There’s not enough time to really go over things,” Huggins said. “When we used to play them in the league every year, we got two or three days to prepare.”

Meanwhile, the women’s team knew exactly what would happen on the selection show Monday night. True, the Mountaineers were given a No. 2 seed. They thought they might get a No. 3. So, sure, that was a surprise. Having to play a road game in the second round? Not surprising.

Yet here’s the part that struck me: Mike Carey thanked the committee for seeding them where it did. The team was  just ranked higher than ever before. It’s already tied a school record for wins, one it’ll probably set Sunday against No. 15 seed Albany. Getting a boost was deserved and appreciated.

And WVU felt totally disrespected Monday night. I couldn’t believe it, but I believe the Mountaineers believe it.

“I know I have a chip on my shoulder and my players have a chip on their shoulders,” coach Mike Carey said. “It’s amazing. You’re the No. 2 seed and you’re the underdog. That’s amazing to me.”