Share This Article
[wp_social_sharing social_options='facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin,pinterest' facebook_text='Share on Facebook' twitter_text='Share on Twitter' googleplus_text='Share on Google+' linkedin_text='Share on Linkedin' pinterest_text='Share on Pinterest' icon_order='f,t,g,l,p' show_icons='1' before_button_text='' social_image='']
Dana Holgorsen’s secondfirst spring in charge begins March 11. The spring game is again a Saturday, and April 21, to be precise. As usual, it’s the three-practices-a-week schedule and it’s actually a six-week slate because practice will be interrupted by spring break (March 24-April 1). I bet you Dana loves that.
He might like this, too. I’ll be gone the April 13-15 weekend and I was sure my impressive streak of never covering the spring game would remain in tact. Now, it’s in peril because I have no obligation for the Gold-Blue weekend. I’m open to suggestions.
Share This Article
[wp_social_sharing social_options='facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin,pinterest' facebook_text='Share on Facebook' twitter_text='Share on Twitter' googleplus_text='Share on Google+' linkedin_text='Share on Linkedin' pinterest_text='Share on Pinterest' icon_order='f,t,g,l,p' show_icons='1' before_button_text='' social_image='']
Tuesday, October 26: WVU is going to the Big 12 and working behind the scenes to find the right time and the appropriate means to conduct a press conference the next day. Mitch McConnel (R-Ky.; B.A. University of Louisville, Class of ’64) allegedly has other ideas.
Today, the Big East, with the influence asserted by one half of the Louisville contingent, added Memphis and stood with the Big East and proclaimed they have completed their membership. Simultaneously, they more or less make WVU’s case against the Big East and underline how decisions in the league can often be made for the benefit of basketball.
Fortunately for us, who may no longer get to witness this Louisville lunacy, McConnell and Joe Manchin, who McConnell truly ought to consider as a tag team partner right now, might get into a lumberjack match in the Capitol soon.
In a private confrontation on the Senate floor late last year, things got heated quickly, according to people familiar with the episode.
McConnell read aloud to Manchin a quote from a university official who said “no improper political influence” had been exerted as each senator was lobbying to get his team the plush conference spot. And McConnell demanded a public apology from Manchin for suggesting that the GOP leader may have acted in an “inappropriate or unethical” manner that could warrant a Senate investigation into his Louisville lobbying efforts.
Manchin refused to back down and said he would always stand up for West Virginia’s rights — not to mention the Mountaineer’ football team.
Share This Article
[wp_social_sharing social_options='facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin,pinterest' facebook_text='Share on Facebook' twitter_text='Share on Twitter' googleplus_text='Share on Google+' linkedin_text='Share on Linkedin' pinterest_text='Share on Pinterest' icon_order='f,t,g,l,p' show_icons='1' before_button_text='' social_image='']
Jabarie Hinds and Dominique Rutledge worked on pick-and-roll drills for more than 30 minutes Tuesday. I figure sooner or later one or both will have a big game. And sooner or later Kevin Jones won’t get his customary 20 points. He’s done it in nine games in a row now and can join Rod Hundley and Jerry West with the longest streak in school history if he does it tonight against Notre Dame.
A while back, you would have thought it could be a lock. In non-conference play, the Fighting Irish were apt to give up a big game. Nine opponents scored at least 20 points in 13 games, including five in the final five before Big East play. But in 11 conference games, no one has scored more than 18 against the Irish. Jones, though, has Notre Dame’s attention.
“He would be my player of the year candidate right now,” Notre Dame Coach Mike Brey said. “I’m very impressed with him. As much as the numbers, I love how he leads and sets the tone and watching him interact with his teammates. He’s such a man, such a mature guy.”
Share This Article
[wp_social_sharing social_options='facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin,pinterest' facebook_text='Share on Facebook' twitter_text='Share on Twitter' googleplus_text='Share on Google+' linkedin_text='Share on Linkedin' pinterest_text='Share on Pinterest' icon_order='f,t,g,l,p' show_icons='1' before_button_text='' social_image='']
Perhaps I’m too pragmatic, or maybe I’m just not very smart, but I sense the Big East and WVU are done with their legal deeds and I hope we see a finish Thursday. (Note: I have a vacation day Thursday … so it’s happening.)
I just don’t see how we can sit down at the table, line up all the pieces that are available in front of us and not form that conclusion. Either WVU made a huge mistake Friday by telling Florida State there would be no 2012 game, or this thing is done and just needs the signatures, which could come in Thursday’s court-scheduled appointments.
There’s no way West Virginia dismisses Florida State unless the Mountaineers are absolutely certain they won’t be a part of the Big East in 2012 and has a guarantee from the Big East. We could see that Thursday.
It could be that the two sides have already reached a proposed settlement and that they’ll submit it to the judge that requested this hearing.
That judge will then agree or disagree with the proposal and make sure the terms are fair and equal for both sides and any third parties that may be involved and affected by the conclusion.
Just a hunch, but I think a hunch that is influenced heavily by current events and common sense … and really, shame on WVU if it pink-slipped the Seminoles and isn’t 110 percent sure the Big East is OK with WVU going to the Big 12 in 2012.
Truthfully, what matters most is not when this thing ends, but how it ends and the details are going to be the most meaningful parts of the resolution.
Share This Article
[wp_social_sharing social_options='facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin,pinterest' facebook_text='Share on Facebook' twitter_text='Share on Twitter' googleplus_text='Share on Google+' linkedin_text='Share on Linkedin' pinterest_text='Share on Pinterest' icon_order='f,t,g,l,p' show_icons='1' before_button_text='' social_image='']
I think it’s worth mentioning, two days later, that Kevin Jones was, by his coach’s estimation, “bad” Sunday and that normally puts a lot on the shoulders of Truck Bryant. Bryant had a pretty special day and WVU doesn’t win at Providence unless he gets every one of his 32 points — fine, the Mountaineers win if he makes a free throw or a layup at the buzzer and ends up with 30 or 31 points, but you’re picking apart my point. His points were at a premium because of Jones and because the six players who came off the already-short bench managed 13 points and, at times, looked tight in the tense moments.
But really, what was so different about that game. Among Truck and Jones, one was great and one was good enough to win with, and for that day they merely switched their normal roles. The bench and the freshmen weren’t all that productive, though just 13 points is much more exception than norm. The thing separating victory and defeat were the feet of Deni Kilicli.
“I kind of slowed down a little bit more than what I used to do,” he said. “I watched all the tapes to see what I did and if I don’t get my feet down, I don’t have any power.”
Share This Article
[wp_social_sharing social_options='facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin,pinterest' facebook_text='Share on Facebook' twitter_text='Share on Twitter' googleplus_text='Share on Google+' linkedin_text='Share on Linkedin' pinterest_text='Share on Pinterest' icon_order='f,t,g,l,p' show_icons='1' before_button_text='' social_image='']
It’s always easier to talk about these things when they don’t happen, and I doubt West Virginia would have been as forthcoming after a loss Sunday, but the Mountaineers seemed to believe the season would have been over had they not beaten Providence.
And for a long time yesterday, it looked like that was an outcome they were going to have to deal with going forward. At the very least, another loss to a bottom-four team on the road would have extended the three-game losing streak into something that would threaten to turn into a tailspin. Really, they said, it wasn’t that far from happening.
“This close,” he said. “We were real close to the end today.”
Bryant scored 24 of his 32 points after halftime and the Mountaineers (16-8, 6-5 Big East) ended the longest losing streak in six years before a crowd of 8,122 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. WVU went 36 minutes, 5 seconds between leads, erased a 32-15 deficit and won despite one of the more uncharacteristic games of the season from senior Kevin Jones.
“If we didn’t win this, we’d be playing in the NIT,” Kilicli said. “If we don’t win another four games, we’re going to the NIT.”
So, a season-saver, from what I gather. This doesn’t do anything for the resume, apart from add a win and a road win and keep WVU comfy in the RPI top 30, but it’s a heck of a lot better than a loss.
Asked what he thought would have to happen had WVU lost, Bob Huggins said simply, “We’d have to win one we’re not supposed to.” He’ll have some occasions to do just that, but to back up a victory instead of picking up after aloss. WVU plays host to Notre Dame Wednesday and Louisville Saturday.
Share This Article
[wp_social_sharing social_options='facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin,pinterest' facebook_text='Share on Facebook' twitter_text='Share on Twitter' googleplus_text='Share on Google+' linkedin_text='Share on Linkedin' pinterest_text='Share on Pinterest' icon_order='f,t,g,l,p' show_icons='1' before_button_text='' social_image='']
Live from a normally chilly Dunkin’ Donuts Center, where the basketball court is above a layer of ice and the temperature is always a few degrees below comfortable. Looks like everyone who is supposed to be here for WVU is here. No one got hurt getting off the bus or anything like that.
Also, I know we’re beyond signing day, but I thought you might be surprised to know that Providence has Big East basketball’s top-rated 2012 recruiting class.
Might get better, too. A five-star center in the 2013 class named Nerlens Noel was reclassified into the 2012 class this week and has included Providence on his list of possibilities. I believe I overheard he’s here today, too.
11:41 am: Also heard this, courtesy Dave Hickman. There are no Dunkin’ Donuts here. He found one kiosk, but it sold coffee. This is akin to no air conditioning in the Carrier Dome and no Papa John’s Pizza at Papa John’s stadium.
Share This Article
[wp_social_sharing social_options='facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin,pinterest' facebook_text='Share on Facebook' twitter_text='Share on Twitter' googleplus_text='Share on Google+' linkedin_text='Share on Linkedin' pinterest_text='Share on Pinterest' icon_order='f,t,g,l,p' show_icons='1' before_button_text='' social_image='']
Welcome to the Friday Feedback, which wants to get right to business today.
pknocker40 said:
Doggone lack of cell service at a crowded Coliseum prevented me from texting about a certain gentlemen – wearing a fur coat – in the Coliseum Club area who created a scene by refusing to cover up his “Eat #### Pitt” shirt. State Troopers intervened, his “date” lost her composure, and Eddie Pastilong was sitting ten feet away the whole time. At halftime I noticed him chatting with Major Harris. Rough night, but man do I love Morgantown….
That’s fantastic and why we have to do TFGD. It’s my duty. There’s no way you could be aware of that scene and watch the game the same knowing something else like that is going on in the background. And it’s also another reason we don’t to TFGD for many basketball games. I’m glad they’re revving up the cell service at Mountaineer Field, but the Coliseum has to be next. And I’m hopeful. We got a press-only WiFi network finally and it was without a hitch Monday night — and yet, the blog inexplicably ate most of the comments during the live blog. Oh well.
Between the WiFi and the violin national anthem and a surprisingly palatable 7NA for the intro, the Coliseum is killing it all of a sudden. (Quick note on 7NA. It’s no CEJ. I actually like this song and the band. Have for years. I don’t like the across-sports overkill … but, man, does it get a crowd rolling. The Coliseum thing was pretty neat. I can’t find the video, but here’s the audio from a different and worthwhile video.
Or catch the whole song here …
Onto the Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, choose wisely.
JC said:
Is it just me, or is college basketball almost as archaic as baseball when it comes to replay? I know goaltending is a judgement call and all circumstances of goaltending should not be replayed, but when it hits off the glass, it is no longer a subjective call. There’s no maybe about it. When the ball is solely in the air or above the cylinder, sure, let the officials’ judgement stand, but there is no subjectivity when the ball hits the backboard, period. Just because they may not have been in position to clearly see it doesn’t make it a subjective call.
But it will slow the game down, interrupt the flow, etc…..how about getting the call right.
So the officials can randomly review the monitors, neglect KJ calling for a non-existant TO (which obviously would have cost them the game), and use a stopwatch to run out the clock after it stopped, but they cannot review a situation like this. Lame…..
Don’t want to get into the Syracuse debacle too much, and I’ve already tried to explain and ended up arguing this point with some people, but it really was a judgment call. The officials thought it was Keita who hit the ball into the backboard, as opposed to Kilicli banking it off the backboard first. We’re caught up in semantics here. Technically, everything is a judgment call and a matter of objectivity. Follow those guides and you’ll get lost. The officials who watched the play did not think Kilicli put the ball off the glass. They thought Keita blocked the shot off the glass. It’s a horrible mistake, but that’s the “judgment” part of it. Some confusion on the KJ/timeout thing, too. He can’t call a timeout if his team doesn’t have the ball and neither team had the ball there. I think your point is about the application of reviews, but, for me, I don’t want them reviewing stuff like that. I think they’re indecisive as it is. I don’t want them working with a net.
Eu. Smith said:
The refs at the Syracuse game did a fantastic job. Perfect calls all day, especially in the last 10 seconds. They got everything EXACTLY right. Just like they got that out-of-bounds call exactly correct at the UConn game.
(What, you think I want another nasty note from Marinatto?)
Share This Article
[wp_social_sharing social_options='facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin,pinterest' facebook_text='Share on Facebook' twitter_text='Share on Twitter' googleplus_text='Share on Google+' linkedin_text='Share on Linkedin' pinterest_text='Share on Pinterest' icon_order='f,t,g,l,p' show_icons='1' before_button_text='' social_image='']
One name I heard a bunch as I was digging in to learn about the recruiting class this past week or so was Kimlon “K.J.” Dillon, a smooth and severe safety from Apopka, Fla.
First impressions being what they are, that was a name I paid attention and I was rewarded yesterday when Dana Holgorsen described Dillon as a “good-looking, 6-2, 195-pound guy that will smack you.” Apparently, and I’m going off Dana’s words here, this is a really nice kid with a really mean streak on the field.
Share This Article
[wp_social_sharing social_options='facebook,twitter,googleplus,linkedin,pinterest' facebook_text='Share on Facebook' twitter_text='Share on Twitter' googleplus_text='Share on Google+' linkedin_text='Share on Linkedin' pinterest_text='Share on Pinterest' icon_order='f,t,g,l,p' show_icons='1' before_button_text='' social_image='']
This was great and it happened at night. WVU’s press conference was at 3 p.m. yesterday and, as we detailed earlier in the day, just about done a few hours before that. I think one name came in after noon and the Mountaineers felt pretty certain they were getting Travares Copeland.
Still, before the press conference I heard Eric Kinsey was going to pick WVU — and so did others, to be accurate … it wasn’t an EXCLUSIVE!!!!! — and when I sat down in my seat he had not. There was also a whisper of a K/P that might sign with WVU or might sign elsewhere, but there was, and still, is nothing.
So I asked in the press conference if WVU was done of if there might be some action after WVU sees “what settles today and who’s still out there.” Kinsey was a pretty popular kid. Maybe he picked somewhere else. Maybe he was still making up his mind and would be deliberate knowing he had until April 1. Maybe he wanted some attention and to make a spectacle. One never knows.
