It’s a gold mine for the media.
A bubbling crude. Black gold. Texas tea.
This WVU-Marshall matchup, that is, in Beverly Hills, er, San Diego on Sunday.
But I shall stay away from that for the moment. I’m sure the folks in my beloved Mountain State are already sparked over the game. Those that love Bob Huggins. Those that love Dan D’Antoni. Huggins insisted it’s not “a Hatfields and McCoys thing.”
I don’t know if I can true dat. I’ve been around both teams’ followers and administrators far too long to say it’s not. It certainly is “a dogs and cats thing” if nothing else. Emotions have flared.
Yet before we go there, allow me to point out something about this WVU victory over Murray State. And it is this:
That Mountaineer lead over the Racers on Friday was pretty solid throughout.
Other than a short second-half hiccup, erased by a 7-0 run, West Virginia kept Murray State at arm’s length for most of the game.
That’s progress for WVU. Also, after disappearing in the Big 12 title game against Kansas, Esa Ahmad turned in a fine game. Wesley Harris hit a couple big treys.
West Virginia will need both going forward if a deep run is expected. Jevon Carter’s production is a given. Sagaba Konate is always a force. Dax Miles will defend until his legs give out. But when Ahmad and Harris help, the Mountaineers move from a good team to a very good team. One that can do damage in this tournament.
Now, let’s get to that bubbling crude.