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Bill Stewart’s right to bear arms

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The WVU Alumni magazine has the New Martinsville Magician on its upcoming cover, but couldn’t decide which photo to use.

With his charismatic “down home” charm, Stewart may just be the most popular guy in West Virginia right now — and there was certainly no doubt who was going to grace the cover of WVU’s Spring Alumni Magazine. In fact, the editorial board was so split on which photo best illustrated Stewart’s affable personality, that half the run features him in a suit and tie with football in hand; the other in a monogrammed shirt with rolled-up sleeves and a huge smile.

“Both shots, taken by WVU Photographer Greg Ellis, are absolutely beautiful,” said Assistant Vice President for Creative Direction Dana Coester. “Individually, they stand on their own in terms of telling the story of Coach Stewart’s positive outlook on football and life . . . the family rapport he has with his team, coaches, and fans . . . his love and respect for this state and this University . . . and the leadership he brings to this position. Bottom line: He’s just a great man, and we’re leaving it up to our magazine readers and fans to tell us which cover photo you think best represents him.”

Vote for your favorite and you might receive an autographed copy. Unless you’re a high school student. That would be cheating.

I admit I don’t follow women’s basketball very much. Certainly not as much as I should have this season, and perhaps that’s for the best.

That said, I imagine the NCAA Tournament is structured similarly, if not the same, as is the men’s NCAA Tournament. I’m curious because WVU’s women’s team is ranked No. 17 and was appropriately seeded fifth in this year’s tournament. The reward for the greatest season in school history? A first-round game against the University of New Mexico, a team that’s won six straight games, including a conference tournament championship. 

No big deal, right? Well, that first-round game is in The Pitt. In Albuquerque, N.M. It’s the opponent’s home floor. Apparently, that’s the way the women’s tournament is.

“That’s the way the women’s tournament is, and it’s a shame,” Carey said. “(In 2004) we were a lower seed, so it didn’t bother me so much. Now, being the fifth seed and playing on the 12th seed’s home court, that’s a big disadvantage.”

You thought Arizona had it tough?

Consider the plight of Arizona, the program that has been in the NCAA Tournament 24 years in a row now, better than anyone else in the country, and was about as perilously perched on this season’s bubble as is imaginable. You don’t want to be a part of the team that snaps that streak.

Well, the hopeful Wildcats gathered and waited … and waited … and waited until their invitation was revealed in the West Region, the last of the four regions to be announced. Arizona is 4-8 in the past 12 games and of late shows two victories against Oregon State (6-24, 0-18 Pac-10, maybe the worst team in a major conference) and one against California (16-15, RPI No. 92) and Washington State (24-8, but 7-6 in final 13 games). The Wildcats also lost twice to fellow bubble dweller Arizona State. It was close, but the Wildcats are in. Again.

UA interim head coach Kevin O’Neill, previously confident of his 19-14 team’s chances for a 24th straight NCAA tournament bid, couldn’t help keep his mind from racing.

The last “spots were left and I was like. ‘C’mon, now. We did play the best schedule.’ ” O’Neill said. “This was a little bit hair-raising for myself and my wife sitting at home watching.”

So by the time O’Neill and his wife, Roberta, raced down to McKale Center 30 minutes later, the Wildcats’ tournament streak alive with a No. 10 seed in the West region despite a precarious month on the bubble, the sense of relief was palpable.

“It beats the alternative of being the guy who was coaching when they didn’t continue the streak,” O’Neill said. “I’ll be honest with you: Those thoughts always run through your mind.”

This is worth mentioning because WVU, which was snubbed last season, then went to win the NIT and prove it really did belong, had to wait to the end, too. Despite confidence they were in, the Mountaineers had some tense moments.

“I was having a nightmare we weren’t going to get in that last bracket,” said guard Alex Ruoff, who admitted his sleep was interrupted Saturday night by such a thought. “It was almost just as tough as last year. We went to a meeting at 5 o’clock and I was feeling OK. We were definitely in. Then it got to the last bracket and I was like, ‘We’ve got to be in here.’ I saw Villanova was in and I knew we’d be in before Villanova, but I knew they beat us. I was still like, ‘We have to be in. Right? Please?’ I was looking for some closure there.”

…after this: It’s a hell of a draw for the Mountaineers. Actually, it’s a good for everyone playing in Washington, D.C. The bracketisn’t overwhelming. It’s the lightest workload for a seven-seed … or a 2, 3, 6, 11 and 14, I think. Still, there isn’t a matchup where WVU would be at a significant — read: Georgetown — disadvantage. Arizona, Duke, and probably Xavier or Purdue … unless Baylor or Georgia gets through … don’t really blow WVU away on paper. That must be a relief.

The Wildcats are a bit of an enigma. They have some nice numbers and a pretty good resume (note the number of $ and the lack of ? on the really difficult schedule). That said, they don’t play much defense, they don’t rebound and they don’t deal well with size, which is odd because they’re kind of big. They were probably one of the four or five teams to get in as an at-large team. They’ve had some injury problems — 16-6 when at full strength — and are pretty healthy now and, as evidenced by the schedule, they won’t be scared on the floor. Plus, it’s Arizona. Arizona recruits pros.

Their fans aren’t in love with the matchup, though.

“Send it in, Joe!”

Joe Alexander was walking to his locker room Wednesday afternoon when someone dressed in a suit who had been waiting for Alexander to pass by stopped him to have a word.

Guy in a Suit: Did you see the piece last week?
Alexander: I did, I did. It was great. Thanks.
Guy in a Suit: No problem. Hey, great game today. Good luck.
Alexander: Thanks. You too.

Alexander continued on his way and he confessed after a few long strides, “I have no clue who that was.”

Maybe Alexander is growing somewhat overwhelmed by his new fame and can no longer keep track of who’s who and who’s done what. Or maybe he simply couldn’t remember Guy in a Suit. I happen to think it’s the latter because in regard to the former, he really doesn’t care about his status or about involving himself so that he might change it. He plays his game, does the interviews, gets on the bus, heads back to the hotel and prepares for the next day. It’s pretty simple for a kid making everything look simple right now.

Along those lines, I’m pretty sure he still doesn’t know Bill Raftery, which is a shame because Raftery knows Alexander. [”Take it to the tin…with alacrity!”] Having Raftery attach a “Send it in, Joe!” to one of your dunks is quite an honor, yet one Alexander can’t properly enjoy.

A figurative and literal rising star in the Big East, Joe Alexander had never heard of Jerome Lane and was therefore completely unaware the former Pitt star shattered a backboard against Providence Jan. 25, 1988.

“All right,” he said when someone filled in the blanks in his mind. “That’s cool.”

Since WVU’s junior forward knew nothing of that game 20 years ago, it was safe to assume Bill Raftery and his celebrated call of “Send it in, Jerome!” were also foreign.

“Yep. Never heard of that, either,” Alexander said.

Alexander, of course, grew up in Asia and spent parts of eight years in Taiwan, Beijing and Hong Kong. When Lane broke the backboard and Raftery reacted in amazement, Alexander was a month past his first birthday.

“You guys learn all of that from TV,” Alexander said. “That’s part of American culture, but I didn’t grow up in America.”

The Feedback from New York City? A nickname for Joe Alexander? Bottles of BBQ sauce exploding on WVSports.com writers? Deja vu all over again?

Let’s stop there. I don’t mean to undervalue what’s going on right now with West Virginia’s basketball team. In fact, I want to individualize it. Thursday’s win was special, certainly the best of the season and the catapult into the NCAA Tournament, but comparisons to 2005 are really unfair.

Be honest: Are you that surprised? Did you not just hang with UConn 13 days ago? Didn’t Boston College beat WVU twice and by a combined 32 points in 2005. Weren’t fans booing WVU in the 20-point home loss to the Eagles that year? That rally was really unexpected. This? Not so much.

First and foremost, this team entered in a much better situation. In truth, the Mountaineers were in the NCAA Tournament after Wednesday’s win. The 2005 team needed to reach the semifinals. The 2005 team had a five-game losing streak at one point and finished 8-8 in the Big East. This team never lost more than two in a row, only had two losing streaks all season and finished 11-7 in a better conference.

At the same stage, this team is, quite simply, better. Why? Joe Alexander. We may be able to give the kid a nickname, too.

Broadway Joe.

I’d be stunned if this didn’t hit the back pages in New York City.

The comparisons to Kevin Pittsnogle, though, do warrant mentioning. Pittsnogle generated a greater buzz in 2005 — so, too, did the entire team as the Mountaineers dominated the back pages that year — and there are a few simple reasons. He was more appealing. West Virginia kid, tattoos, unique last name and a fascinating combination of range and accuracy that defied his size and position.

Alexander, on the other hand, is just killing people. He’s almost indefensible and he has a knack for creating — and making — his own shot that WVU fans haven’t see in a long, long time. He may very well be playing better than anyone in the country. If everyone knew his background, he’d be off the charts now.

That said, Georgetown has to go small on him tomorrow, perhaps with an Austin Freeman, and encourage Alexander to post the defender up. That way the double-team arrives and Alexander has to pass out. WVU isn’t hitting from the perimeter, so it’s a good gamble. One wonders if JT3 will be inclined to let Alexander roll, take his chances on the slumping shooters and simply shut Da’Sean Butler down.

Onto the Feedack. As always, comments appear as posted. 

Homer said:

Can you asterisk Joe Alexander’s first-team All-Big East honor? The guy has had a great season, but this awards inflation has to be capped or at least acknowledged.

1998 — Damian Owens become the first WVU player to make first-team and he earned it. One of FIVE selections — along with Rip Hamilton, Tim James, Pat Garrity and Felipe Lopez (of all people).

2001 — Calvin Bowman *really* earns it. He’s one of five, along with Preston Shumpert, Troy Murphy, Troy Bell and Nova’s Michael Bradley.

The following year, the team grows to seven. 2002-03 is a reasonable six. 2003-04 it’s seven. 2004-05 back to six.

The past three years, those teams have been jokes as the league bows to the whiny coaches who want everybody to get a blue ribbon and an ice cream cone.

2005-06 — Gansey and Pittsnogle joined by NINE OTHER PLAYERS — Eric Hicks, Rudy Gay, Steve Novak, Chris Quinn, Aaron Gray, Allan Ray, Gerry McNamara, Randy Foye and QUINCY DOUBY. Pick the best five there, or even six or seven. Gansey and Pittsnogle probably still make it.

2006-07 — Frank Young joins 10 OTHER GUYS — some of whom I don’t even remember playing from a year ago — Colin Falls, Aaron Gray, Herbert Hill, Lamont Hamilton, Demetris Nichols, Curtis Sumpter, Russell Carter (!?!?!), Dominic James and Dr. Roy Hibbert.

This year, another 10 guys joining Alexander: Gransberry, Brian Laing, Sam Young, Kyle McAlarney, Luke Harangody, David Padgett, Hibbert, AJ Price, Jeff Adrien and Deonta Vaughn. You’re telling me that stellar list can’t be pared down by 4 or 5 guys?

Bottom line: Marcus Goree’s second-team selection in 1999 on the worst WVU team EVER means more than Alexander’s inflated pick. Goree had to take second behind Hamilton, Tim James, Johnny Hemsley, Jamel Thomas and Ron Artest.

He was joined on the second by El-Amin, Murphy, Etan Thomas and Bootsy Thornton, plus integrity.  

I loved this. It set off wild debates between me and people I know and trust. The size of the all-conference team now is both misleading and infuriating. It’s a delicate balance. I’m sure coaches, athletic directors and presidents had worries about all-league teams when the Big East expanded, so this must have been an agreed upon issue. That said, coaches do, in fact, have too much influence on simply getting their guys on there. I always say the max should be eight people. That’s basically a good college team: five starters and three reserves. Let’s begin with 2005-06: I say it’s Gay (Player of the Year), Hicks, Foye, Gansey, Pittsnogle, McNamara, Ray and Novak. Last year, it’s Jeff Green (Player of the Year), James, Hibbert, Nichols, Hill, Carter, Falls and Hamilton … and I’m stretching near the end. This year, it’s Harangody (Player of the Year), Padgett, Price, Adrien, Young, Vaughn, Hibbert and Alexander … and again I’m strecthing. The point, I suppose, is that maybe my eight is too big and it should be six or seven. It need not be diluted.

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Day Two, Vol. 2

We all have questions like “How did that happen?” and comments like “Holy crap, WVU just outrebounded UConn by 16.” Fire away and we’ll discuss.

I’ve really tried by scanning the Internet for countless projections, but I can’t find anyone — anyone — who excludes WVU from the NCAA Tournament. Barring the revelation Cam Thoroughman is actually a German pro named Kristof Gresch and WVU must forfeit all 14 games in which Gresch has played, the Mountaineers are in.

So, no, I don’t know what ESPN’s sound byte du jour Doug Gottlieb is up to. Nor do I care. He makes good points, but they’re not valid this year. There are probably somewhere between 12 and 16 teams behind WVU. It’s that kind of year and the bubble talk isn’t that exciting. That’s not good business for TV. If anything, Gottlieb is guilty of intensifying the discussion with his unrelenting pressure on WVU.  Or I could be wrong. Maybe Gottlieb is just backwards.

For the record, WVU’s Alex Ruoff has the solution.

“In my opinion, we’re in and I feel pretty good about that, but we can silence all the critics by beating UConn.”

Other things to digest before Villanova beats plays Georgetown at noon…

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New York Minutes, Day One, Vol. 2

Villanova smoked Syracuse, 82-63, and owned the second half. Corey Stokes, Dwayne Anderson and Scottie Reynolds got hot and the Wildcats pulled away. Once it got to be a 10-point game, it was pretty much assumed Syracuse would crumble. On cue, the defense developed a habit of allowing easy baskets and the offense consisted almost exclusively of a guard dribbling inside and passing outside, where a teammate would pump-fake, step in and force a jumper.

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New York minutes

The curse has extended into tragic new areas. Yesterday was delightfully uneventful. No trouble getting to the airport, getting to Newark, getting to the hotel, getting to New York City and getting back to the hotel. It was so good, in fact, that someone traveling with me — he’ll remain nameless, but it rhymes with Mustin Mackson — commented that “This is going as good as it possibly could.”

“(Insert expletive).”

I walked to an adjacent hotel for dinner last night and, I kid you not, when I walked back to my hotel there was an ambulance outside … and those were the only lights. Apparently someone was working on the wiring at the hotel –at 10 p.m., mind you — and electrocuted himself. The power was out and had been for about 40 minutes. There are probably about 50 hotels in the airport area and I’m in the one where a guy working late electrocutes himself and knocks the power out. Amazing!

As I came up on the hotel I saw the Charleston Gazette’s Dave Hickman and the Dominion Post’s Justin Jackson wearing looks of disbelief. We sat outside for about a half-hour and had a few good laughs.

“The wake up calls ought to be interesting.”

“Has anybody told us what’s going on?”
“No, they’re keeping us in the dark.”

“Well, I’m going to head up the stairs…where the hell are the stairs?”

“I like how all these people drive up to the hotel, then immediately leave.”
“Imagine if they went inside. ‘Do you have any rooms?’ ‘Yes, but we have no power.'”

I went inside to see if they could put me up in another room at a partnering hotel across the parking lot and as I was waiting in line someone asked the person behind the desk if the man taken away by ambulance was all right.

“He’s fine. He was conscious and talking when he left, but he’s in sho–.”

Oh, I’m the bad guy? 

I was told the power could be all night and decided to switch rooms. The power promptly came back on. You can’t make this stuff up.

Anyhow, a few thoughts before the I-guarantee-you-it’ll-be-great Syracuse-Villanova game at noon.

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