Kentucky started out strong, but once West Virginia started hitting its threes and settling into its 1-3-1 zone, the game shifted. WVU made 10 of 23 of its shots from deep. Conversely, the Wildcats hit just 4 of 32 from long range. They also killed themselves at the free throw line, making just 15 of 28 attempts (53%).
Joe Mazzulla played admirably, posting 17 points and playing scrappy defense on DeMarcus Cousins at the base of the Mountaineers’ 1-3-1 zone. He fouled out with two minutes to play, and WVU was pretty shaky handling the ball against Kentucky’s press, but the Mountaineers made enough free throws to seal the win.
On a side note, my bracket is starting to look pretty good. With WVU already in, and Duke still alive, I could get two Final Four teams in a year when very few brackets will have three or more. (Virtually no one picked Butler or the MSU/Tennessee winner.)
Posted in: College Basketball, March Madness
I COULD NOT BELIEVE THIS!!!!!!! Definitely a crazy crazy tournament!!
Best thing that could have happened for college basketball. Calipari royally screwed over Memphis, and in a just world that sort of thing shouldn’t be rewarded with a title.
West Virginia played great so don’t won’t to take anything away from them but Poor Free Throw Shooting Dooms Another Calipari Coached Team as Kentucky Shoots only 55% from the line http://bit.ly/aAjb97
Maybe one day Calipari will understand that free throws can help you win games even when you play bad and don’t deserve to win it