End of the (Country) Road(s)

All good things must come to an end. Despite playing their last game at home against the Pittsburgh Panthers, the 2005-2006 basketball season is far from over. Tonights seniors, Beilein, Collins, Gansey, Herber, and Pittsnogle, went out on top in front of an electric crowd at the Coliseum. Upsetting the hated No. 8 ranked Panthers in a game in which the Mountaineers lead from post to post was a very nice way to say goodbye to the home crowd.

Certainly, Senior Night is a perfect night for reflection and contemplation.

The home games are over, a first round Big East Torney bye has been secured, an NCAA bid is all but a lock, but WVU's fantastic five have the potential to accomplish much more.

Just look at their track record. Pittsnogle and Beilein top the record books in most categories relating to 3 pointers. Collins tops the assist category. Herber holds the record for consecutive games, most minutes played, and most games played.

Individually, they are fine players, but as a team, they are a machine. In their first season at WVU, they nearly finished with a .500 record. The next year, earned a berth to the NIT. Last year, the Elite Eight. What's next?

Whatever is in store for these fine gentlemen, one thing is for certain: these five seniors have forever secured a place in the hearts of Mountaineer fans everywhere. In many ways, this graduating class may be the finest overall group of roundballers to run out on the carpet. Certainly, the best in my lifetime. For years to come, WVU fans will be comparing future players to our current team.

So let's not que the band just yet, don't roll the credits, muzzle that fat lady, and let's savour every remaining moment of what is sure to be a maddening March in Morgantown.

WVU - Louisville: The Rivalry, Act II

Ri·val (rī'vəl)
n.
One who attempts to equal or surpass another, or who pursues the same object as another; a competitor. One that equals or almost equals another in a particular respect.


In less than one year, Louisville has gone from a Conference USA over-achiever to the Big East darling to a Big East bust. Oh yea, and that whole rivalry thing with WVU took off like a rocket.

It all started in March 2005 when Lousiville needed an overtime period to defeat the Cinderella Mountaineers 93 to 85 in last year's NCAA Tournament. The victory propelled the Cardinals onto college basketball's biggest stage and left the Mountaineers thirsting for more.

Immediately, WVU loyalists circled the midweek matchup at Mountaineer Field on October 15, 2005. On that date, the football version of the Louisville Cardinals were scheduled to make their debut in Morgantown as the newest members of the Big East.

The stage was set. If the March meeting was a prelude of things to come, then the October matchup was Act I... Oh the Drama! The Cards stormed the field and demonstrated that they were a force to be reckoned with. Quite literally, watching the the first two quarters of that game was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. Thankfully, at the half, the Mountaineers still had five more quarters to go!

The third quarter was much like the first two, but then something remarkable happened. Momentum began to turn. Three overtimes later, the Mountaineers turned the inaugural matchup into "an instant clasic" and staged one of the greatest comebacks in Mountaineer football history.

And now on to Act II.

Once again, the Cardinals are traveling to Morgantown. Only this time, the game will be played on the hardwood at the Coliseum. But more notably, this time the teams meet as undeniable rivals.

Rivalries aren't just made, they are born out of a chain of events that transcend the normal competition that exists between two teams. Rivals play for keeps. Rivals hold grudges.

Each team will be attempting to avenge a loss that has come at the hands of the other. For the Mountaineers, a chance to pick up where they left off last March. For the Cardinals, a chance to redeem the October debacle at Mountaineer Field.

This one is going to be good. Stay tuned.

Behind Enemy Lines

As our beloved Mountaineers prepare for tomorrow's Big East battle against the #1 ranked Connecticut Huskies, let's take a moment to ponder what the enemy is thinking...

I recently received an encrypted telegram from a BeatPitt mole hidden deep within Husky territory. This is what he wrote:

UConn is sending a team to Morgantown that refuses to lose two in a row, let alone even suggest a third Big East loss this season.

Talk around the Nutmeg State has been that of disrespect lately...how the Huskies should be the clear top-#1 seed heading into the NCAAs and that Duke never deserved to be ranked at the top spot this year.

The talk fell silent after Monday's loss at Villanova. With Duke poised to reclaim the top spot in the rankings, now the talk is of an uprising, that UConn will leave Morgantown with it's fifth conference road win in the phenomenally strong Big East.

So, in Morgantown it is important not to forget last year's visit by the Huskies, especially their defense, as they held the hometown Mountaineers to 29% shooting and beat us on the boards by a 47-27 clip.

Maybe the 'Eers don't pick up boards as much as they should, but let's see if they can rebound from a few sloppy performances and give the voters another sound reason to drop UConn out of the top spot and slide WVU back into the top ten.

Please keep your hands in the car until it comes to a complete stop.

The last week has been one heck of a roller coaster for our West Virginia University mens basketball team. Apparently, we only beat ranked teams on the road. New rule: let's not stop at 25 with the rankings. I say we go all the way to 133. Perhaps we can fool ourselves into winning all of the games.

The commentators for the game against Seton Hall discussed the fact that under Beilein WVU has beaten some 14 ranked teams and 12 of those games were on the road. Wow! What a statistic. It certainly speaks volumes about the mental toughness of our team. Unfortunately, that toughness wasn't enough to overcome two dismal performances. One in Charleston and the other in Pittsburgh.

Enough talk about the past. Let's focus on the next big game.

As I am sure everyone knows by now, WVU faces off against the University of Connecticut Huskies on Saturday at the Coliseum. I for one plan to be in attendance.

As an aside, I have given serious thought to selling my tickets on Ebay. But I just can't shake the thought of missing one hell of an upset.

That's right. I said upset.

In my opinion, the stage is set. Yes, both WVU and UConn will be coming off of a loss. But I think UConn's loss hurt a bit more and will be tougher to get over. When their team is introduced, UConn will be bowled over by a sea of gold. To the contrary, when the carpet is rolled out WVU will report to work... and get the job done.

Nice Bounce Back!

Seriously, how do you spell recovery? Oh I know. It starts with a road trip to our Nation's capital, in a snow storm. Follow that up with some humble pie handed to another top 10 team on their home court.

Yea. That's how I spell recovery.