BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: RUTGERS @ WEST VIRGINIA

February 14, 2008

Bob Huggins was very critical of his team following a 55-54 loss at Pittsburgh where missed foul shots and defensive assignments saw the Mountaineers let a late lead slip away. The comments questioned the team's toughness and if they were 'winners', and those were the public comments, I wonder what practice was like the last six days as the Season is Pushing Huggins' Patience (Daily Mail). WVU has a chance to get back on track tonight when they host Rutgers at the Coliseum.

Rutgers is tied for last in the Big East and with a tough schedule to finish up league play, the look headed towards another March without a Big East Tournament, making Fred Hill two for two in that category. Their latest setback was a 72-68 loss in overtime to Cincinnati over the weekend. The young Scarlet Knights are inexperienced and lack depth...not a good combination in the Big East, even for more talented rosters.

Here are the local media previews and stories on tonight's game:


Rutgers Trying to Get Over Hump (Charleston Gazette)
Rutgers Playing for the Future (Asbury Park Press)
WVU Men Hope to Bounce Back as they Host Rutgers (Times West Virginian)
Huggins Answers Critical Comments (Times West Virginian)
WVU Offense Slowing Down (Daily Mail)

Summing up their loss at Pitt, Bob Huggins simply said, "Winners make plays." The Mountaineers did not last Thursday as they made just 7-17 free throws and he had his two leading scorers on the bench for much of the game. Alex Ruoff attemtped just two shots from the floor and Joe Alexander was a consistent target of some of Huggins' most stern glares and fiery lectures. Huggins seemed perplexed as players 'refused' to step forward down the stretch and 'didn't listen' to the instructions of the staff.

Also concerning for WVU is the recent offensive slump. The Mountaineers have lost three of their last four games, in those losses (two at home), they have averaged just 50 points a game. A far cry from the team that was putting up big offensive numbers back in November and December. In those losses they have shot just a dreadful 32% (47-149) from the field. The once effecient Mountaineers look to be floundering on offense.

Rutgers is in the midst of a four-game losing streak and have dropped to 2-10 in Big East play. The Scarlet Knights also have trouble scoring points, averaging just 59 points a game in Big East action.

After dropping their first six conference games, the Scarlet Knights showed a spark with wins over Villanova and Pittsburgh (ont he road) with freshman guards Mike Coburn and Corey Chandler leading the way. In their last four, two of the losses have come in overtime, so they are being more competitive. The lone exception was a drubbing at Louisville two weeks ago.

Tonight they should face a highly motivated Mountaineer team looking to get back on track. West Virginia has a favorable schedule down the stretch and kick it off with home games against RU and Seton Hall the next several days. Finding their range on offense will make things much easier. Rutgers does match-up pretty well with West Virginia as they have similar athletes and both are perimeter driven clubs. Rutgers is not deep on the wings or in the backcourt, but they have some size inside.

The Mountaineers are 19-pt favorites, seems to be quite high. I look for WVU to get a win, but the Scarlet Knights shoudl be able to hang around a little bit.

NBE Blogger Prediction: West Virginia 72 Rutgers 59