RACERS vs West Virginia NCAA Tournament Game Thread

[jayinbama]

One thing to remember. No matter how much they think of their teams, we are in the tournament. Western Kentucky, and Louisville are both in the NIT, and Belmont is not playing anywhere that I know of. That means that of those three, none are in the only tournament that matters.

Belmont received CIT/CBI bids but they turned them down.

Yes they sited having only 8 healthy players for those games. Which too be fair I might say the same thing if I was in their position.

[msuowns]

One thing to remember. No matter how much they think of their teams, we are in the tournament. Western Kentucky, and Louisville are both in the NIT, and Belmont is not playing anywhere that I know of. That means that of those three, none are in the only tournament that matters.

Belmont received CIT/CBI bids but they turned them down.

Im thinking they failed to get an offer from the NIT because of the poor fan support. No one there cares much and the NIT certainly wants games that draw interest. They deserve what they got.

Your probably right. Shame shame

[basher]

Ughh. Back on topic please.

What weird metric do we have to hit to win the game? I say, we limit them to <5 steals, we win.

[SoILRacer]

Ughh. Back on topic please.

What obscure/unrelated metric do we have to hit to win the game? I say, we limit them to <5 steals, we win.

We need to commit 13 or fewer turnovers and ideally hit 80% of our free throws.

[WVURivals]

WVU's head coach Bob Huggins and players met with the media today. Here's some videos if you are interested in their view of the tourney: http://rvls.co/2Gm7Crj

[JoeD]

I think if we score more points in the first and second 10 minute periods in both halves we win

[FijiRacer]

I think if we score more points in the first and second 10 minute periods in both halves we win

That'll never work.

[spaldy]

Unfortunate match up for us. Huggins is not likely to overlook us. a whole lot of teams that I would rather have seen than them. Myabe we'll get lucky and Marshall will beat WSU. Not much love lost between Marshall and WVU and they'll be thinking about that game if it happens.

think that we have to shoot 40% from the field and 80+ from the line. that's asking a lot.

I think they have to shoot under 30% and 75% from the line.

suspect, much as I hate to admit it, that we need some very tight calling officials. don't see that very often in the NCAA. I harp about it all the time in the OVC so it's kind of hypocritical to ask for it for this game.

[SoILRacer]

I’ve been reading people describing us as “small”. I disagree. We have some beef on that front line. If they call it loose on the interior, I think Brion would lick his chops. We have more size inside than we have had in years. Don’t sell us short, pun intended.

[bjhracer]

Well golly gosh. Maybe we could get Beth to campaign to get some of our fine OVC officials to call the game. That is if she isn't too busy figuring out why Belmont was left without an NIT invite.

[75Fan]

Ughh. Back on topic please.

What weird metric do we have to hit to win the game? I say, we limit them to <5 steals, we win.

Go back and look at the computer prediction for this game. We need to try to limit what their strengths are and we need to improve where we are weak. I know that is Captain Obvious advice but for me, they will try to attack Ja because he is a freshman. They don't know how good he is - yet. Hopefully, CMM has them practicing breaking the 1-3-1 and traps. Huggy is not a dumb coach. If we break their back 3-4 times with easy dunks on their press, he'll call it off and it will be ball as usual.

Dean Oliver was right in that the most important metric to winning is FG%. We are slightly better in this department.

If we get down early, I hope Stark, Miller and Buchanan have paid their long-distance bills!

Here's to a great, great match-up between two talented teams!

[75Fan]

On Guard!!!

Here's a comparison of their best guard and our best guard side by side.

Enjoy!

PER-MINUTE STATISTIC		JEVON CARTER		JONATHAN STARK
FIELD GOALS MADE		0.1581			0.1952
THREE POINTERS MADE		0.0588			0.0967
FREE THROWS MADE		0.1043			0.1127
OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS		0.0240			0.0106
DEFENSIVE REBOUNDS		0.1093			0.0648
TOTAL REBOUNDS      		0.1333			0.0754
FOULS				0.0861			0.0470
ASSISTS				0.1863			0.1083
TURNOVERS			0.0778			0.0674
BLOCKS				0.0108			0.0053
STEALS				0.0803			0.0373
POINTS				0.4793			0.5998

OFFENSIVE RATING		120.0			127.2
DEFENSIVE RATING		95.9			102.2
NET RATING			24.1			25.0
EFFICIENCY			111.69%    		112.71%
TRUE SHOOTING PCT.		54.90%			61.91%
EFFECTIVE FG%			49.45%			57.43%

[murraygrad05]

Well golly gosh. Maybe we could get Beth to campaign to get some of our fine OVC officials to call the game. That is if she isn't too busy figuring out why Belmont was left without an NIT invite.

She's too busy planning the first round games at Bridgestone to even remember there is an OVC team in the tournament. Chill...

[msuowns]

Well golly gosh. Maybe we could get Beth to campaign to get some of our fine OVC officials to call the game. That is if she isn't too busy figuring out why Belmont was left without an NIT invite.

She's too busy planning the first round games at Bridgestone to even remember there is an OVC team in the tournament. Chill...

She is hanging with the Mayor

[Ghughes]

Racers One of 8 Hottest Teams Poised to Make a Deep Run...from USA Today

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/n ... 419356002/

[speck]

Keep turn overs down and play the game the way we are capable of for the WHOLE game and we win. Nothing will come easy, they will know our every move.

[basher]

She is hanging with the Mayor

former mayor.

[popeyejonesfan]

Haven’t read this whole thread. I’m sure this has been discussed. I’m hoping CMM gets some tips from CSP on game prep. Huggins is such a good defensive coach. But, I think we have a better chance than the experts give us.

[jhughes42071]

Maybe he'll come sit at then end of the bench to give advice friday.

[lexwvu]

Hello, WVU fan here. I think the game Friday will be very competitive - you all have a nice team. I've followed the threads about the game, and one player from WVU that has not been mentioned is Esa Ahmad.

Everyone knows about Jevon Carter and the shot blocking monster that is Sagaba Konate. But nobody has mentioned Ahmad, and he probably has the highest ceiling of any player on our team. He's the X factor in this game, as he will be a matchup nightmare for your team.

He is 6'8 230lb with ability to shoot the three. He is by far our best passing big and is a solid rebounder. He will take smaller 3's on the block and has a good enough first step to get to the rim against larger 4's and 5's. Esa's issue is that he is inconsistent. He was a beast against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament. And then did absolutely nothing in the title game. If good Esa shows up, that is great news for WVU.

I expect for Huggs to look to get Konate and Ahmad established early. That is where we have our biggest advantage. If you all can figure out a way to stop those two, you will have a shot.

Best of luck to you all.