The Kentucky Wildcats: Uber-talented, powerful, rarely-rattled, deep, unbelievably tall, smart, and #1 in the nation. If you can somehow pull out an argument for why UK is not the top men's college basketball team in the nation, your argument could probably be ripped to shreds very quickly by anyone sane. John Calipari, probably one of the best recruiters of all time, has built a dynasty in Lexington.
But, do all of those attributes automatically result in a championship? Through a century of college basketball games, the answer is an unequivocal 'no'. 1983: NC State vs. Phi Slamma Jamma. 1966: Texas Western vs. Kentucky. Those are just two prime examples of coaching, game management, and execution trumping talent, and examples of what makes college basketball so great. Although it seems like a pipe dream to millions across the nation that the Lexington natives could fall this year, and it very well is near to a pipe dream, we must not forget that this is why they play the games. Take nothing for granted.
After saying this, we come to the West Virginia Mountaineers. Their style is almost completely opposite from that of the Wildcats, and their pressure defense that causes near 14 turnovers a game (well over 20 in their last game against the Big Ten's Maryland Terrapins) has become nation-renowned. The 'Eers', like most Bob Huggins-coached squads, have a 'punch-you-in-the-mouth' style that is distinct from the very beginning, and they commit a staggering amount of fouls each game. However, Huggins doesn't care. This mosquito basketball technique has been his mantra for years, and has worked against some of the greats.
This past weekend vs. the Cincinnati Bearcats, a scrappy team that can get under your skin in a hurry via trash-talking/wild big man Octavius Ellis, the Kentucky Wildcats were bruised up a bit in the first half, but pulled ahead late in the half after Ellis went to the locker room because of an injury. Ellis came back for the 2nd half, and although Cincy put up a good fight, Kentucky's power overtook them, and the Bearcats were sent back home.
To get a good picture of West Virginia, you must multiply that scrappiness by a large sum. It makes for some hard-to-watch basketball, but the style was built for the rugged Big 12 and the NCAA tournament.
Many Kentuckians will contend that, much like the majority of their season, the outstanding depth that the Wildcats possess will, by-and-by, wear down the Mountaineers, causing WVU to commit silly mistakes in the crunch. But, let's not kid ourselves. The main reason the Mountaineers are in this game is because of their own depth: Four talented guards that could start on any team in the nation in Staten, Browne, Miles Jr., and Carter; Holten, Macon, and Watkins to go with the main big man, Williams; the X factor, Tarik Phillip, who has been the ultimate sixth man recently, helping the Mountaineers escape down the stretch of games. West Virginia will have strong, fresh legs to rotate in and out against Kentucky.
Obviously the two stars for West Virginia are Devin Williams and Juwan Staten, and both can completely take the game into their own hands. Williams is likely the most talented player on the team, with a wide array of skills for a big man that will continue to grow over the next few years, likely turning him into the premiere big man of the Big 12. Staten is the senior leader of the team, and is known to score in bunches. His skills will be tested to the max in this game, as he is not a very impressive three-point shooter, but can drive into the paint with authority. Whether he can pound into the Kentucky frontcourt, that is another story. But, Staten has been patiently waiting for this moment his entire career. This very moment is the reason Staten didn't enter the NBA draft and stayed in Morgantown: the opportunity to make history by doing something as special as knocking off undefeated Kentucky.
It is also a bit difficult to doubt 'Huggy Bear' Bob in a situation like this. He, much like Tom Izzo at Michigan State, constantly prepares for the NCAA tournament. Huggins, for example, didn't rush his two star guards Juwan Staten and Gary Browne back when they were injured late in the season, and did not try to get them prepped for the Big 12 tournament. He instead gave his impressive corp of youngsters, such as Daxter Miles Jr., Tarik Phillip, and Jevon Carter the opportunity to attain experience, and it has paid off. Miles Jr. especially has been impressive, as he is on a fantastic scoring streak of 7 games in a row of over 10 points, a much needed spark for the usually offensively challenged Mountaineers. Now the whole team has a confidence oozing out of their bodies, and mouths.
One key conversation piece for this game is the cocky nature that the Mountaineers have held. Some quotes:
Devin Williams about Kentucky: ''It's another team. They put their drawers on the same way we do.''
Daxter Miles Jr.: “I give them them their props. Salute them to getting to 36-0. But tomorrow they’re gonna be 36-1. They should be more intimidated, because they're the ones that got the high standard, and we're coming for them."
This has caused quite the stir, and mostly negative at that. Looking specifically at Miles Jr.'s comment, if West Virginia loses, especially by a wide margin, he will never hear the end of it. However, what is wrong with athletes being a little cocky? Joe Namath is remembered for guaranteeing his Jets would knock off the Colts, and sure enough, it came true. In the same manner, LeBron James guaranteed that his high school would defeat Roger Bacon High School in the Ohio State High School Final. James' guarantee did not come to fruition, but as time went on, the statement was completely forgotten. Athletes make statements like these all the time, and only heighten the fun of this game. No doubt about it, that without a certain level of confidence about your team and system, you will not beat Kentucky. Maybe Miles Jr. took this a bit too far, but he has the strong belief that his team will win, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Obviously the deciding factors for West Virginia are being able to consistently knock down the open three-pointers (which, we must add, the Mountaineers are the worst team in the Sweet Sixteen at doing), and pressure the Wildcats into a substantial amount of mistakes. This, of course, would be very different than what UK has done this season, but it must be said that Kentucky hasn't faced a team with such tenacity as the Mountaineers. Do we know exactly how Kentucky will adjust? Of course not, as every team is unique, and West Virginia is more abnormal than any team in this tournament.
Are we saying all of this to say that West Virginia will win tomorrow night? Absolutely not. The goal is to eliminate the myth that West Virginia doesn't have a chance in this matchup. This is college basketball, the most unpredictable sport in these blessed United States of America. The confidence and brute force is there to push Kentucky a little.
As stated before, this is why they play the games. Don't count your chickens before they hatch, Kentucky fans. You have a ways to go before a championship, and a feisty team from Morgantown is ready to pounce.