The Bottom Line
By Bill Nestor, Sports Editor
Basketball season is finally here for WVU hoops fans. Sure it has been two months since the Mountaineers locked up with Mountain East Conference member Wheeling in an exhibition on Oct 26, but everyone knows it all begins with conference play. So what has first-year head coach Russ Hodge been up to lately?
During that time span the Mountaineers have managed a nine and four record with wins over Mount Saint Mary’s, Campbell, Lehigh, Pitt, Lafayette, Mercyhurst, Coppin State, Little Rock, and, most recently, Mississippi Valley State. All of those victories came at the Coliseum while the four setbacks (Clemson, Xavier, Wake Forest, and Ohio State, all occurred on neutral courts.
Since WVU fans haven’t had much to talk about up to this juncture of the season, the main topic of conversation has centered around the pre-conference schedule. Has it provided a big enough challenge for this year’s edition and down the road when the selection committee starts reviewing resumes, what will they think of this one?
Understand that this schedule was put in place well before Hodge came to town and it has been a long standing strategy to bring in lesser opponents to Morgantown during the early stages of the schedule.
The positive thought behind having a less than challenging start is that it would help Hodge play catch up before battling the big boys. Remember when West Virginia Athletic Director Wren Baker nabbed him from North Texas, Hodge elected to stay with the Mean Green for their run to the NIT semifinals. This break in the schedule provides more time for Hodge to implement his style of play and build the correct culture needed for the roller coaster that is Big 12 play.
The signature win so far for the Mountaineers was over the Panthers in the Backyard Brawl. Unfortunately, Pitt is sitting at a seven and six mark. In games decided by three points or less, West Virginia is 0 and two. It does take any team some time to gel together and to find the correct chemistry and “go-to” guys down the stretch. However, the pressure will increase dramatically when the teams come to town and even more when you go play at their place.
Tomorrow starts the Big 12 schedule as WVU heads to Ames, Iowa to play the current number three team in the country, Iowa State. The first five includes the Cyclones, Cincinnati, and Kansas at home, Houston in Texas, and BYU (number 10), Texas Tech. Texas Tech and Kansas are soundly in the top 20 and there are several other squads hovering around the top 25. If you combine talent and travels, the Big 12 is the toughest conference in the country.
Hopefully Hodge and the Mountaineers are ready for the challenge.
That will do it for now! Until next time . . . take care and God Bless!!!
