Mountaineers Make Beilein Toward Return to NCAA Tournament

After reaching the Sweet 16 for a second consecutive year in 2006 not much was expected out of the West Virginia basketball program when the ’06-’07 season began. Back in October, the Big East coaches picked the team to finish 12^th in the 16 team league. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year and with good reason. Coach John Beilein lost his top five scorers from last year’s squad and was left with just one returning starter in forward Frank Young. Yet the Mountaineers have managed to defy expectations with a record of 7-3 in the Big East and 18-4 overall. Tonight, rival Pittsburgh visits Morgantown and a West Virginia victory would put them just a game out of first place in the conference.

Mike Gansey, Kevin Pittsnogle, and company may be gone, but the style of play under Coach John Beilein has remained the same. The Mountaineers backdoor opponents to death, toss up a barrage of three point shots, and never turn the ball over. On defense, they still employ the 1-3-1 zone and this season's squad with longer, more athletic players are actually better defensively than at any other time during the Beilein's tenure. However, the toughest challenge is ahead for West Virginia. The Mountaineers follow up tonight’s home game with #6 Pittsburgh by hosting #2 UCLA on Saturday and then play at #23 Georgetown on Monday. This stretch will determine if Beilein’s boys are ready for March, but win or lose these underdogs continue to be one of the most enjoyable teams to follow in college basketball.