It was a frigid night in Morgantown. Outside of WVU Coliseum, the Mountain State was enduring a nasty, bone-chilling snow storm that caused shivers from Charleston, to Lewisburg, and all the way to Martinsburg.

However, there was another spine-tingling phenomenon circulating across West Virginia. On Tuesday, the West Virginia Mountaineers basketball team upended the #1 team in the nation, the Kansas Jayhawks, by a score of 74-63. The game wasn't a blowout, but it never truly felt close. West Virginia forced Kansas into many mistakes, winning the game via mental fortitude.

This was the climax of an under-the-radar rise to power in this college basketball season for the Mountaineers. Many factors have pushed WVU to this mountain top:

Surprising Offensive Flare

WVU fans were thrilled by their victory over Kansas in Morgantown last year after Juwan Staten drove to the rim in the waning seconds and scoring the winner. This year, however, the Mountaineers were without their brilliant guard, who was lost to graduation. Someone would have to step up their game in the backcourt.

That someone came off of the bench. Jaysean Paige electrified the building with 26 points, driving to the hoop with authority, just like Staten once did.

Coming into this season, West Virginia knew that they had assembled a great team. In the 2nd full year of the high-flying pressure defense system, WVU had the pieces and format to contend in the Big 12. What held them back from being considered a National Championship contender was the fact that they had not discovered a true backcourt leader yet on offense. With his breakout career high against Kansas, Paige looks to be the man going forward. The former JUCO transfer is a senior full of swagger, bounding down the court like a champion. He pushes his way into the paint, then leaps backwards to nail a gentle floater. His touch is phenomenal. With Paige coupled with Jevon Carter and Daxter Miles Jr., WVU has a marvelous triumverate in the backcourt.

Devin Williams, known as the 'Minion' to WVU faithful (in reference to the Minion characters from the Despicable Me movies, and the characters' goggles), is one of the best big men in the nation, no doubt. However, West Virginia wouldn't be what they are if it wasn't for the corp around him. Jonathan Holton is one of the nation's best offensive rebounders, shouldering his way toward a loose ball. Although he has some work to do with his scoring touch, the senior alters the game with his brute force and intensity. He is joined by tough forwards like Nathan Adrian, Elijah Macon, and budding freshman Esa Ahmad.

WVU Cutting Down On Silly Fouls

A flaw that came along when WVU instituted their pressure system two seasons ago, unnecessary fouls hampered the production of the Mountaineers. Due to the frenetic pace West Virginia installed, the Mountaineer players often hacked the opposing team, getting too hyper on the defensive end.

Bob Huggins has clearly worked on this. Although the 'Press Virginia' system remains, West Virginia has calmed down to the point that they can play quality defense without committing so many fouls. It was evidenced by the way WVU played against Kansas, as the Jayhawks fouled the Mountaineers 32 times, compared to only 20 times for WVU.

West Virginia leads the nation in steals with nearly 12 a game. They led the nation with 11 per contest last year, but they ranked 2nd in the nation in personal fouls. This year, WVU has worked on this, as they are now down to 23rd in the nation in that category. This is not a massive drop, but it is clear that the silly fouls have diminished. Fouls will come with the defensive scheme West Virginia has, but if they can make sure to not be too over-active and reckless on defense, they will go far. That is a big reason why they shocked the Kansas Jayhawks on Tuesday.

Subtle Urgency In Morgantown

When Da'Sean Butler and the Mountaineers went to the Final Four in 2010, they were considered an outsider. Although they had a phenomenal regular season, it was surprising to many to see them make it so far in the Big Dance. Of course, it had been a year full of amazing runs, including the journeys of Butler, Washington, and Cornell. But WVU's step up that year was shocking, especially their upset of #1 Kentucky. It was their first trip to the Final Four since the days of Jerry West.

Now, WVU is not an outsider. Bob Huggins has built this team, changing his systems and finding new tactics. Now in the wild Big 12 Conference, West Virginia is among the elite. 

However, Bob Huggins is not getting any younger. The loud and proud head coach has been a staple in college basketball for many years, as he is now 10th all time in head coaching wins with 780 overall. However, he does not yet have that elusive national title, and his hair continues to gain a silver glow.

This group he currently holds claim to may be his best yet. It is balanced, strong, and talented. It also has an urgency to get some hardware for Huggins. If he is going to win it all, now is the time to do it.

The Road Ahead

If West Virginia can knock off #2 Oklahoma, they will start to see some #1 votes in the Associated Press poll. The Big 12 is undeniably one of the deepest conferences in the nation, so West Virginia will have plenty of opportunities to strut their stuff. WVU is now clearly after a 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. With the crew they have assembled, that is right in their sights. And if they stick to the system they have, working hard every day in the gym, West Virginia could attain that high ranking going into the tournament. If luck falls their way, WVU may just have their first ever NCAA Title in April.

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Ben Anderson
Hi, folks. I am Ben, a West Virginian, loud and proud. I've been the editor in chief of VAVEL USA since December of 2013, and continue to work hard and make the International Sports Newspaper the best on the internet.