The Sock 'Em, Bust 'Em Board Because that's our custom

Stop me if you’ve heard this one

December 28, 2009 by Mike Casazza

Devin Ebanks, Rod Thorn, Jerry West and Hot Rod Hundley walk into a bar …

Actually, it’s not so far-fetched. At least they’ll have something to talk about after Ebanks’ encouraging effort Saturday against Seton Hall.

Working his way into a sense of comfort after battling personal issues and bum wrists this season, the sophomore from Long Island City, N.Y., followed Wednesday’s 14-point, 13-rebound game against Mississippi with a leap into historic company against the Pirates.

Ebanks finished with 22 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists – all season-high totals – and joined Jerry West, Hot Rod Hundley and Rod Thorn as the only Mountaineers to have at least 20-15-7 in a game.

“That’s what we expect from Devin,” Huggins said. “He’s been hurt and he’s really just now starting to get into the flow again. He had 17 rebounds in back-to-back games last year and averaged eight rebounds a game in the best league in the history of college basketball. He’s just now starting to come around and do the things he did a year ago.”

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Back to and in business

December 27, 2009 by Mike Casazza

I’m on a 6 a.m. flight from Newark, site of another near meltdown for WVU’s sixth-ranked basketball team, to the Gator Bowl today. We’ll resume regular activity Monday morning because I’ll miss today’s practice.

Be sure to check out Gator Bits, the week’s running diary, to the right. See you Monday.

Make that two starters …

December 23, 2009 by Mike Casazza

Scooter Berry and Nate Sowers are ineligible for the bowl.

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Noel, Noel the junior will stay

December 22, 2009 by Mike Casazza

If you are to take Noel Devine at his word — and that’s something he seems to have asked for throughout his time at WVU — then he’d like you to believe him when he says he plans on playing for the Mountaineers next season.

“If I hear something, maybe (not), but other than that, right now my mindset is focused on coming back and winning a national championship, to be honest with you,” he said. “This next game could mean a lot (to encourage him to explore the NFL), but I don’t know that. Right now, my mindset is to come back. I think we’ll be so much better next year than this year.”

I know, I know. We’ve heard this all before.

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The Year in Review

December 18, 2009 by Mike Casazza

Right about this time of year — soon, if not already — you start to see a lot of the stories and lists that recap the year. I like those, but I try to stay ahead of the curve.

Let’s flip the calendar forward one year. It’s now Dec. 18, 2010. What will we remember about WVU sports in the year that was?

On Chris Henry

December 17, 2009 by Mike Casazza

Sad day.

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This gets me off the sofa

December 16, 2009 by Mike Casazza

batsignal

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Don’t get any ideas

December 15, 2009 by Mike Casazza

Some of you will laugh at this, but I really don’t take much time off from work. As such, I have days I have to use before the end of the year, so I’m off tomorrow (Wednesday) through Monday and then again Tuesday through the 26th — which is when things get interesting.

That morning, I fly to Newark for the suddenly exciting WVU v. Seton Hall. Not since the Elite Eight/Sweet 16 Beilein years, when the two teams had built up a fairly healthy hatred for one another, has this game mattered as much. The following morning, it’s off to Jacksonville, via Savannah, Ga., and I’ll figure out a way to use this little vehicle to deliver the news. And I’ve got a feeling there’s going to be news.

In the meantime, I’ve got some questions and conversation pieces I’ll toss out there and I’ll keep an eye out for the bat signal. Mostly, though, I’m getting low for a few days. As the title says, don’t get any ideas.

Bracketology already!/?

by Mike Casazza

Joe Lunardi is projecting the field of 64 and holds WVU in pretty high regard.

The smell of success at Syracuse

by Mike Casazza

Khalil Glaud thinks this is interesting.

“When I went there for my visit, I looked at the lockers in the locker room and they were perfect,” reported Wilkes earlier this week. “I figured somebody, probably Coach Marrone, had to be making the guys do that. I mean, the place was so neat and clean. And it smelled good, too. That’s the first thing I said to my parents: ‘This locker room smells good in here.’ I liked that.”