Saturday, December 16
Morgantown, W.Va.
2:00 p.m.
West Virginia University
vs
Wheeling Jesuit (Exh.)
Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
Tony's Take - Hang on to Your 'Press Virginia' T-Shirts
December 15, 2017 01:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Tony's Take is presented by West Virginia Tourism
During his postgame radio interview following last Saturday's victory over Pitt, coach Bob Huggins made a major proclamation.
Covered with sweat and exasperated following his team's dramatic hang-on-to-your-seat win, Huggins indicated the days of "Press Virginia" were over.
Boom, just like that it was over.
Three years and 10 games into an experiment that has guided WVU into one of the most successful runs in school history, the Big Bear said he was shelving the press. This year's team, according to the coach, just doesn't have what it takes to keep the tradition alive.
No more press?
No more Press Virginia traps, no more steals and dunks?
What are we supposed to do with all those t-shirts?
Well, before you lose sleep or toss away your gear, slow down. Yes, I know what the coach said. However, after watching and listening to him for the last 11 years in similar postgame situations, I know that what he says and what he does are often two different things.
This is the same guy who nine years earlier on that exact same spot of the Pitt court, announced in a postgame interview, that he would NEVER EVER again design a play for forward Joe Alexander. The coach was livid that Alexander didn't take a shot in the late seconds of the game. Huggs proclaimed from that moment forward Alexander's role as a Mountaineer for the remainder of his career would be solely to set screens and rebound.
Well, guess how long that lasted?
Alexander, who scored five points that night and missed 9 of 11 shots, went on one of the greatest rolls in school history. Huggins' declaration became Alexander's coronation. In the 14 games that followed, Alexander scored double figures in every game. He scored more than 20 points seven times, and topped 30 on three occasions.
He averaged 21 points and seven rebounds with five double-doubles and played his way into the NBA Draft lottery. So much for never running another play for Joe.
This past Saturday's eulogy for Press Virginia will likely fall into the same category as his Alexander exile declaration.
Huggins knows his team must be able to generate points from its pressure. This is not a team built to play half-court basketball, it's a team created for chaos and mayhem.
Like a pack of hyenas waiting for fresh meat, this team is designed to cause mental and physical fatigue for the opposition. When the other team cracks, WVU feasts off its mistakes and the points off turnovers ring up quickly.
Almost everything Bob Huggins says has an intended purpose. Last Saturday's death of the press statement was his way of sending a message to his team. History says they'll get the message and the press will improve.
So, don't throw away that t-shirt just yet.
Sometimes the Bear says one thing and means another.
During his postgame radio interview following last Saturday's victory over Pitt, coach Bob Huggins made a major proclamation.
Covered with sweat and exasperated following his team's dramatic hang-on-to-your-seat win, Huggins indicated the days of "Press Virginia" were over.
Boom, just like that it was over.
Three years and 10 games into an experiment that has guided WVU into one of the most successful runs in school history, the Big Bear said he was shelving the press. This year's team, according to the coach, just doesn't have what it takes to keep the tradition alive.
No more press?
No more Press Virginia traps, no more steals and dunks?
What are we supposed to do with all those t-shirts?
Well, before you lose sleep or toss away your gear, slow down. Yes, I know what the coach said. However, after watching and listening to him for the last 11 years in similar postgame situations, I know that what he says and what he does are often two different things.
This is the same guy who nine years earlier on that exact same spot of the Pitt court, announced in a postgame interview, that he would NEVER EVER again design a play for forward Joe Alexander. The coach was livid that Alexander didn't take a shot in the late seconds of the game. Huggs proclaimed from that moment forward Alexander's role as a Mountaineer for the remainder of his career would be solely to set screens and rebound.
Well, guess how long that lasted?
Alexander, who scored five points that night and missed 9 of 11 shots, went on one of the greatest rolls in school history. Huggins' declaration became Alexander's coronation. In the 14 games that followed, Alexander scored double figures in every game. He scored more than 20 points seven times, and topped 30 on three occasions.
He averaged 21 points and seven rebounds with five double-doubles and played his way into the NBA Draft lottery. So much for never running another play for Joe.
This past Saturday's eulogy for Press Virginia will likely fall into the same category as his Alexander exile declaration.
Huggins knows his team must be able to generate points from its pressure. This is not a team built to play half-court basketball, it's a team created for chaos and mayhem.
Like a pack of hyenas waiting for fresh meat, this team is designed to cause mental and physical fatigue for the opposition. When the other team cracks, WVU feasts off its mistakes and the points off turnovers ring up quickly.
Almost everything Bob Huggins says has an intended purpose. Last Saturday's death of the press statement was his way of sending a message to his team. History says they'll get the message and the press will improve.
So, don't throw away that t-shirt just yet.
Sometimes the Bear says one thing and means another.
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TV Highlights: WVU 70, Mercyhurst 38
Monday, December 01
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Sunday, November 30
