Well, that's bad timing. Just as West Virginia prepares to embark on a stretch of games that may well decide its chances to win the Big12, a key contributor gets suspended.

 

Jonathan Holton has been suspended indefinitely, the school announced late Thursday evening.

 

There's still a lot of basketball to be played, but West Virginia is facing a critical string of games over the next week and a half.

 

After today's non-conference matchup with Florida, West Virginia goes on a stretch of games against Iowa State in Ames, Baylor at home and at Kansas.

 

Winning all three would have been a tall order at full strength, let alone without Holton Holton had been playing as well lately as any time in his WVU career. Two double doubles in the last three games and a team high, 34 minutes per game. The key to the increased production and minutes played can be traced directly to Holton's ability to stay out of foul trouble during that stretch.

 

Who fills the void without Holton?

Devin Williams for one. Now would be a good time for him to re-emerge and find the form that led him to five double doubles to start the season. Nate Adrian will also have to take on an increased role in Holton's absence. Given how well he played (and shot) in the last game, the timing may be right for Adrian to pick up some of the numbers lost with Holton out.

 

Marshall Helping WVU

 

Don't look now, but Marshall's basketball team is on a roll and tied for first in Conference USA.

 

I know, I know. All of you Mountaineer fans are saying "so what?" as you read that line.

 

Here's why you should care. RPI. We're closing in on February, the time of year when RPI talk becomes a focal point of any discussion about college basketball.

 

Your team's RPI, conference RPI and opponent's RPI are all key talking points as the NCAA Tournament selection committee starts to think about seeding for the Big Dance. The more Marshall wins, the more West Virginia's RPI and strength of schedule improves. That will matter come NCAA Tournament seeding time. Marshall currently has an RPI of 134. In an ideal world, they would keep winning and finish inside the top 100. But, if the Herd can maintain that top 150 status it will help WVU.

 

The challenge for Marshall when it comes to RPI? Conference USA only has one team inside the top 100 at this point. Middle Tennessee is 84th in the country. The league as a whole is only 18th nationally in the RPI rankings.

 

So even as the Herd continues to win games, their strength of schedule and therefore RPI, most likely won't take a big leap forward.

 

Editor's Note: Photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.