- Kevin Jones really doesn't have his touch. Everything is rimming out for him. The Mountaineers have to get this kid rolling as they get into the season.
- Because I typed that, he came back and hit a big three from the top of the key. VMI answers with their own. Mountaineer lead is seven.
- The longer the Keydets hang around, the less and less I like this game. The Mountaineers need someone to step up and get hot. Jones would be nice, but right now, that's Casey Mitchell's job.
- Joe Mazzulla is starting to push the basketball, but he's forcing it. Not much is coming of it.
- Glasgow hits a three, and the Mountaineers lead is only four. Not panic time yet, but getting close.
- Mitchell fakes a three and throws the lob to Jones. He needed to bring itdown, but the 'Eers got the bucket. Nice play.
- Keydets seem to just be jacking up threes now. Can't blame them though.
- Another good look on a slip move to Jones. Mountaineers back up ten, seem stabilized.
- Jones now has eighteen, and has reached 50% from the field. Good signs both.
- JFlow! What a block! Back to back blocks on back to back trips.
- West Virginia is doing a great job crashing the boards and forcing the Keydets into one and dones on the offensive end. At the last official's timout, the Mountaineers still lead by ten. Time to close this one out.
- Flowers with a flagrant elbow, which is apparently the focus of the referees this season. Makes sense, but Flowers' elbow looked pretty tame.
- That's two technical fouls this game on the Mountaineers. Both seemingly for mental mistakes.
- Mountaineer lead now at fifteen, with two minute left and the ball. This game is pretty much over.
- Kevin Jones with a big dunk. Mountaineers with 82, their final points of the night. VMI finishes with 66.
All in all a good win. One that needed to happen like this. It could've been prettier, but the message was sent to Truck Bryant, Danny Jennings and Dalton Pepper (who didn't get into the game until after walk-ons) that more effort is needed. I love seeing Noreen pick up quality minutes and his hustle has to be liked. The offense sputtered and stalled most of the night, but that has to be attributed primarily to playing an entire half without a point guard. This is a good early season win: get the victory, play decisively, but give Huggins plenty of ammunition to scream at the troops all week long.
I'll be back with more thoughts tomorrow. The Mountaineers play Wednesday at home versus American.