Getting set for the round of 16 game between The Mountaineers and Washington from the Carrier Dome.
–Casey Mitchell will get the start for the Mountaineers in place of the injured Truck Bryant. It will be Mitchell’s first start for the Mountaineers since the championship game of the 76 Classic back on November 29. Mitchell, with his three point shooting ability, is the best candidate to replace Bryant’s offense. 26 of Mitchell’s 41 made field goals are three pointers.
–The Mountaineers had some major problems with turnovers early with four in the first four minutes. Washington’s first three baskets came following turnovers. The Mountaineers had 11 turnovers for the half at the final media timeout at 2:46.
–Some quick thoughts on the crowd: Looks like Cornell will be the best represented team, as expected. The Ithica campus just 55 miles away from Syracuse. Most of the upper deck is filled with red-clad Cornell fans.
–No points for Washington leading scorer Quincy Pondexter in the first half. Pondexter picked up two quick fouls and went to the bench. As soon as he checked back in, Pondexter committed his third. Two of the three were offensive fouls. Even without offense from Pondexter, Washington led 29-27 at the break.
–Justin Holiday leads all scorers at the half with ten points. He came in with an average of just 5.6 points per game. Holiday’s season and career high is 16 points. Washington had ten fast break points in the first half.
–Butler scored the first five points of the second half for the Mountaineers including a three point shot. WVU hit the first two jumpers of the half as Wellington Smith scored from outside as well.
–Pondexter finally got on the board at the 17:30 mark of the second half. After he scored his first basket, it was Washington not getting back on a transition play as Devin Ebanks scored from in close prompting a timeout by Washington coach Lorenzo Romar.
–Butler is a big spark early in the half for the Mountaineers as he has exceeded his first half scoring total already with five points. He had four for the entire first half.
–The Mountaineers had their larges lead at 56-43 following the technical foul on Washington coach Lorenzo Romar. Devin Ebanks hit the two technical foul shots, then Butler hit both ends of an 1-and-1 opportunity. WVU hit 10 of its first 11 free throws in the game.
–Butler survived a hard spill to the floor when it looked like he landed on both his left hip and his left hand or wrist. Butler has scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half.
–The Mountaineers didn’t get frustrated after missing some chippies in the first half. WVU continued to attack the rim in the second half as Kevin Jones got another huge rebound basket down the stretch to put the Mountaineers back up by nine with just over 4:00 to go.