BECKLEY —
West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins has said all year that his team is capable of making a run.
If it’s going to happen, it has to start now.
WVU (13-18, 6-12 Big 12) opens play in the its first-ever Big 12 Conference tournament tonight at 7 p.m. The eighth-seeded Mountaineers take on No. 9-seed Texas Tech (10-19, 3-15 Big 12) in the opening game at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.
Huggins’ belief in a winning streak isn’t exactly without merit. The Mountaineers showed they have some talent when they stormed back from 27 points down to pull within four, 76-72 on a Terry Henderson dunk with less than a minute to play.
WVU played with energy, made shots and was relentless on defense in trying to end senior day with a victory.
In the end, though, it was another loss, the Mountaineers’ sixth straight. WVU has not won a game since knocking off Texas Tech 66-64 in Morgantown on Feb. 16. So winning four games in as many days — what the Mountaineers would need to do in order to avoid missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007 when John Beilein’s club won the NIT championship — seems like a daunting task.
“I think when you get down by 27 in the second half and come back to cut it to four, obviously you still think you can win,” said Huggins, refusing to throw in the towel, even after losing more games than he has in any other season of his 31-year career.
A run has to start with the first game, and WVU appears to be in good shape. Two of WVU’s six conference wins this year came against the Red Raiders, the other a 77-61 win in Lubbock, Tex.
WVU Senior forward Deniz Kilicli averaged 17 points and five rebounds in those two victories, while freshman guard Eron Harris averaged 16.5 points and two assists.
“We’ve played well at times,” said Huggins. “We just haven’t been as consistent as we need to be.
“We’ve just got to be able to put it together. I think if we can put it together, we’re not that far away from being able to beat some pretty good people.”
The Red Raiders, who have lost 11 of their last 12 games, are led by junior forward Jaye Crockett, the only double-figure scorer, averaging 11.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
The winner of tonight’s game will take on top-seeded Kansas Thursday at 2 p.m. on ESPN2.
— E-mail: chuffman@register-herald.com and follow on Twitter @CamHuffmanRH.
Today's Sports Front
It's now or never for Mountaineers
WVU faces Texas Tech tonight in Big 12 tourney in Kansas City
- Today's Sports Front
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Woodrow downs defending AAA champs
It’s a play that Woodrow Wilson has practiced everyday this season and has rarely had to utilize.
It’s a good thing the Flying Eagles did practice it; it saved their season and led to a 2-1 victory over defending state champion Princeton. -
No repeat for Warriors
Independence has been on a tear offensively the entire month of May. It didn’t stop Tuesday, even against Wyoming East ace Derek Thornton.
The Patriots led 5-0 after two innings, and Brian Sexton — backed by that very offense and some sparkling defense — gutted out a complete game in a 7-5 win in the Class AA Region 3 semifinals Tuesday night. -
’Hounds hold off upset bid from Man Hillbillies
Valley’s potent offense never came to life, but the Greyhounds are still alive.
Valley (22-7) — with several players hitting .400 or better this season — could muster just three singles against underdog Man (6-20-1) in one of two Class A Region 3 baseball semifinals Tuesday, but the ’Hounds manufactured two runs in the crucial fifth inning to finally go ahead of the stubborn Hillbillies and escape with a 3-2 victory. -
WVU baseball team helps tornado victims
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With every passing minute, the tornado that devastated the Oklahoma town of Moore, was moving closer and closer to his location and its path was being documented by a local television station. At one point, the coach even looked out the window to see if he could see the approaching funnel. -
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Patriots, Warriors meet in anticipated matchup
The matchup many people expected will take place today.
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Fayette teams, Cavaliers vying for Class A spots
Two Fayette County baseball teams have advanced deeper into postseason play and will begin Region 3 tournament action today.
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Epling already having a busy week for Miners
At this point a year ago, Sam Lewis was the only player on the West Virginia Miners roster to have reported to Beckley. All he did was pitch two no-hitters, and the Miners won the 2012 Prospect League championship.
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Confident Mavs headed to states
From the outset, James Monroe’s mission was clear: Get to the state softball tournament.
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Eagles get 2nd shot at Tigers
The road to the Class AAA state championship for Princeton last year went through Beckley. A repeat would require the same stop, but Woodrow Wilson is looking to put up more resistance this time around.
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