MORGANTOWN —
Can the West Virginia University men’s basketball team build on Wednesday’s 71-50 victory over Texas Christian University?
The Mountaineers (9-9, 2-3 Big 12) will have an opportunity to do that in today’s conference contest on the road at Oklahoma State (12-5, 2-3 Big 12).
I thought WVU showed improvement in some play phases against TCU before 7,094 — the smallest home crowd for a conference game since Jan. 28, 2009.
West Virginia shot 43.1 percent from the field (25 of 58), outrebounded the Horned Frogs by 42-30, and forced 17 turnovers which resulted in 20 WVU points.
The Mountaineers also had three scorers in double figures. Freshman guard Eron Harris tallied a career-high 19 points, senior forward Deniz Kilicli had 11 and Jabarie Hinds 10 points.
Kilicli and reserve Dominique Rutledge were the top rebounders with eight each.
West Virginia also worked the ball around for 15 assists, with no less than nine contributors, and came up with 12 steals.
However, neither coach Bob Huggins nor the players were really celebrating the triumph. This, despite the fact it broke the team’s three-game losing streak.
For one thing, the Mountaineers’ accuracy at the foul line was terrible. They made only 16 of 31 free throws (51.6 percent). WVU had committed 23 personal fouls.
“I guess after all these years, I’ve learned that you don’t give them bad when you win one,” Huggins said. “But I’m not very happy.
“I thought we played really, really hard. Defensively, we did the things we’ve done for a long time.
“But in the second half, we stopped guarding, which is what we do.”
While it was crucial for West Virginia to win against TCU, it still faces a tough row of foes ahead.
Oklahoma State is expected to be ready and well-prepared for today’s 1 p.m. tip-off on its home court. Then on Monday, the going gets tough when potentially No. 1-ranked Kansas visits the WVU Coliseum.
The Mountaineers can’t afford to look past Oklahoma State’s Cowboys. “We’ve got to stay focused,” said Hinds, a sophomore guard. “It (TCU) is a win, but it’s in the past. We need to look forward to Oklahoma State.”
Travis Ford, in his fifth year as head at the school, returns four starters and nine lettermen back from last year’s squad that posted a 15-18 record.
WVU won the only previous meeting between the two schools.
Today's Sports Front
Related Photos
-
West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins expresses disbelief during the Mountaineers’ game Jan. 12 with Kansas State at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown. Kansas State defeated West Virginia 65-64. West Virginia faces a tough road game this afternoon at Big 12 rival Oklahoma State.
Can West Virginia build on TCU win?
- Today's Sports Front
-
-
A dream start, nightmare end
Lightning on the horizon brought Wednesday's final game of the state softball tournament to an end.
The James Monroe Lady Mavericks had felt a shock long before that. -
One step away from Charleston
A trip to Charleston — with a lot more on the agenda than a tour of the capitol building and a shopping spree at Charleston Town Center — will be up for grabs tonight for three area teams that are one win away from punching their ticket to the WVSSAC State Baseball Tournament at Appalachian Power Park.
-
Tanner is Summers County coach
After weeks of controversy, it appears Summers County High School officially has a new football coach.
-
WVU baseball changes up pitching lineup for Big 12 Championship
Randy Mazey’s attention has been on everything but baseball in recent days, as the West Virginia University coach has been out in front of his team’s effort to help the tornado victims in Oklahoma, where his team has been this week preparing for the Big 12 Baseball Championships, which begin today at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Okla.
-
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
West Virginia University head baseball coach Randy Mazey was having lunch at an Oklahoma City restaurant Monday afternoon, keeping a close watch on the television set.
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. -
Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship Format Changed
In the wake of this week’s devastating storm in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, the Big 12 Conference is postponing the start of the 2013 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship. No. 3 seeded WVU scheduled to take on Kansas at 4 p.m. (Central) on Thursday.
-
Patriots, Warriors meet in anticipated matchup
The matchup many people expected will take place today.
- More Today's Sports Front Headlines
-
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
