Morgantown, West Virginia – Miles McBride said it best following the Mountaineers’ comeback win over the Texas Longhorns: “When our guys come together, we’re a problem.”
McBride, who finished with 17 points in 37 minutes against the Longhorns, is absolutely right. If West Virginia plays like they did in the second half – after being behind 62-43 at half – they can beat any team in the country.
Although the Mountaineers have only put together a full 40 minutes of incredible play in a game this season, they have the talent and cohesiveness to make a very deep run in the NCAA Tournament next month.
Before the NCAA Tournament, the Mountaineers have two games left in Texas (at TCU on Tuesday and then at #2 Baylor on Thursday) before returning home for their regular season finale against one of the worst teams in the conference, the Kansas State Wildcats, who are currently 6-18 overall and 2-13 in conference play.
With two more wins, West Virginia should be among the top seeded teams in the conference before the Big 12 Conference.
“We needed a win. We really needed a win. I just didn’t see what happened around the league. We’re still alive in conference play. We just got to take care of our business,” Bob Huggins said following the Texas win.
Although the Big 12 Conference is a deep, talented conference with multiple teams capable of winning the Conference Championship, the Mountaineers can certainly compete with anyone in the conference if they are playing well and on a neutral court.
When the NCAA Tournament rolls around, no one will want to play West Virginia. Bob Huggins’ teams are known for their intense defense and toughness, and while this team lacks that defensive intensity at times, they are also perhaps Huggins’ best offensive scoring team he’s ever had at West Virginia.
The West Virginia Mountaineers have been through adversity this season and they continue to come together and respond. This is a dangerous team that is peaking at the right time and will be an extremely tough out in the NCAA Tournament!
