A Little Know-Howe: Closing the Book on the 2018 WVU Basketball Season
By Brad Howe on March 31, 2018 from A Little Know-Howe via Connect-Bridgeport.com
In my opinion, the best and worst part of the NCAA tournament is the same thing.
When the game starts you don’t know if it will be the last one of the season or will it be another step on a magical ride.
We spend nearly half the year watching and talking basketball. And then all of a sudden, it ends. Season over. The suddenness in which the end arrives is always jarring to me.
The thrill of anticipation is what gives you the sheer joy when your team wins (and advances), but also slams you to the ground with a loss (and the sudden end to the season).
Unfortunately, that end came last Friday against the top seed in the East region, Villanova.
It was a fun college basketball game between two very good teams. I said going into the game that Villanova may be the best remaining team in the tournament.
I haven’t changed my tune after watching Villanova beat WVU and then Texas Tech last Sunday to advance to the Final Four.
West Virginia gave them one heck of a punch though.
There was a time in the second half when West Virginia’s lead had jumped to six points that I thought the Mountaineers were going to get it done.
The game was starting to have that feel. You know the feel. Momentum shifts, the other team is wobbling against the ropes.
But, then Villanova did what the great teams do.
It answered. The likely national player of the year, Jalen Brunson was fantastic. He put up 27 points and only turned it over three times against West Virginia’s defense.
Who you play and when matters when it comes to NCAA tournament success. West Virginia saw both sides of that during this tournament.
The Mountaineers faced two double digit seeds to open the tournament in Murray State and Marshall.
Neither were a match for WVU and in particular Jevon Carter.
WVU handled both of its early opponents and advanced to its third Sweet Sixteen in four seasons.
But, then West Virginia was forced to face a number one seed for the second year in a row.
And, just like last season with Gonzaga, many felt Villanova was the best team in the country this year.
Also, like last season, West Virginia put up a fight that would have most likely beaten any other tournament team on that day. But, not the one they were playing.
And so a season of ups and downs closes with the Mountaineers winning 26 games.
That caps a four year run that has seen WVU go 105-39. Good for a 73 percent winning percentage.
You have to go back to the late 50’s, early 60’s to find a WVU basketball team that had that kind of success over a similar time period.
The loss to Villanova also closes the book on the career of one of the very best to ever play at West Virginia.
Jevon Carter’s is most certainly a top five player all-time at WVU. Whether he’s number three, four or five can be debated.
What can’t be debated is how much fun Carter was to watch over the years. And, how much he will be missed next season.
You know all of the honors. I don’t need to list them here. Just know it may be a long time before we see another one as good as Carter at West Virginia.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Daxter Miles as well. Miles finished with 16 points against Villanova.
His career numbers are impressive as well. 1,311 points. 330 rebounds. 241 assists. 177 steals.
25th on the all-time scoring list at WVU. 10th in three point field goals made. Ninth in steals. 20th in minutes played. Ninth in games played and second all-time in career games started.
In Miles and Carter West Virginia found two guys that helped put the program back on the map.
Press Virginia was born and thrived under their play.
So as we say goodbye to this season and to two great Mountaineers, we wait with anticipation for what comes next.
WVU returns a bunch of players who gained valuable experience this year. Sagaba Konate has the makings of a star.
Who else is ready to step up?
We will begin to find out in a few months. For now, we close the book on another successful WVU basketball season.
