MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia received the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region and will open NCAA tournament play Friday against 12th-seeded Buffalo in Columbus, Ohio.
The Mountaineers (23-9), after missing the past two tournaments, returned to winning form this season with a pressing, trapping style that forced the nation’s most turnovers. They sit 23rd in the RPI, leading coach Bob Huggins to prod local doubters who worried the program might be headed for an extended downturn.
“I don’t think anybody in my business or anybody nationally didn’t think get we weren’t going to get it going again,” Huggins said. “You don’t do this for as long as the people on my staff have done this and not figure out something.”
Buffalo (23-9), in the running for an at-large berth had it not won the Mid-American Conference tournament, sports a No. 35 RPI and a second-year coach with a deep NCAA legacy, Bobby Hurley, who remains the NCAA assists leader from his days as a Duke icon.
“I’m just glad he’s not the point guard,” Huggins said.
BRACKET: See the full NCAA field
With tipoff times and TV network assignments being finalized late Sunday night, Huggins projected a large West Virginia contingent to be on hand at Nationwide Arena, which seats 19,500 for basketball.
“It’s great for our fans,” he said. “It’s 200 miles from here but our people can get to it, though tickets will be an issue.”
Upset pick: Within seconds of the bracket unveiling, CBS analyst Doug Gottlieb called for Buffalo to spring the 12-5 upset.
“That’s who you should listen to,” cracked Huggins.
The West Virginia-Buffalo winner would face the Maryland-Valparaiso survivor in the second round. As for the Sweet 16? That likely would bring a matchup against No. 1 overall seed Kentucky.
Staten and Browne practicing: After Juwan Staten and Gary Browne missed WVU’s one-and-done appearance in the Big 12 tournament, Huggins insisted the guards would be available for the NCAAs. Both seniors reportedly practiced before Sunday’s selection show.
“Both those guys practiced today, and I thought Wannie was real good,” Huggins said.