Where to Begin?

I don't even know where to begin with this. I guess I'll start with this question: Would you rather lose by 7 or 8 or lose like WVU did last night? I mean, I know I don't want to get blown out by 20 but is it better to be behind by 7 with a minute to go knowing the game is pretty much over or lose in the heart-wrenching way we did last night? I'm really not sure...there's a good argument for both because the close game at least gives you a chance. I mean, you don't want to lose at all but to lose that way, geesh.

Before I go on with that game, let's look at some good news: J.J. Redick and crew are done. Thank goodness...now if we could just get the Coach K commercials off TV I would be a happy man. I'm also very pleased that Gonzaga lost...I'm sick of Adam Morrison. His act was getting old quick. Is it appropriate to cry before the game even ends and you still have a shot? I was a little confused about that. UCLA made a great comeback and that was a really enjoyable game. Of course, Memphis rolled over poor Bradley...no chance.

OK...back to WVU. I hope everyone enjoyed the run they just saw...Mountaineers fans hadn't seen anything like what we have witnessed over the past two years in over 45 years. Back to back Sweet 16 appearances and great wins over top teams along the way. It was a very special group of people. Kevin Pittsnogle was a hot or cold player. Sometimes selfish...sometimes scared. Bad shots, no rebounds...great shots, no rebounds. Always clutch though...just like last night. The man can shoot the ball...and he has worked on the inside game...still a lot of work to do if he's going to play in the NBA. A national sensation...the Man-Verb. We'll definitely miss the "You Got Pittsnogled" signs and shirts...no matter how annoying they became.

Mike Gansey was a lot of James Brown...the hardest working man in showbiz. Or at least on the court. Struggled late in the season...really looked sick...definitely not 100%. Another clutch player. Found a way to get rebounds even though many of the players towered over him. The front man of the 1-3-1 zone pulled off a lot of steals over the years and won WVU many games (remember UCLA). Will make a great scrapper for some NBA team...

Joe Herber...the German. I've heard the guy is like a genius or something. Herber knows how to pass the ball...great assist man. Could get on a roll from the perimeter but his drives to the basket were his offensive strength. Brough a real European feel to the game by using hands, feet...anything to try to deflect passes and disrupt the offense. Can probably go to Europe and make some money playing ball? Why can't they play the German National Anthem before every game?

J.D. Collins was probably the most disliked of the senior group. A real love/hate kinda guy...sometimes controlled the offense with great precision and timing. Other times dribbled around a little too much and took ill-advised shots. Overall though, he ran the Mountaineer offense like a great maestro, finding the cutting man or pulling in the defense with a drive to kick it out for the easy 3. Was WVU better with J.D. on the bench? That could be debated but I'm saying no.

And lastly, the only non-starter, Patrick Beilein. Say what you want about Pat but the guy could make some 3's and he played hard to. If it wasn't for Gansey, this guy would probably be the toughest guy on the court. Yeah, you could always count on him blowing a timeout on an inbounds play and another diving out of bounds for a loose ball but he played all out. Is there a greater shot than the one he nailed against Louisville 10-feet behind the 3-point line with the shot clock hitting 0? He brought energry from the bench and was a great asset to this team. Will make a great coach someday...maybe at WVU?

So, we say farewall to the "Fab 5" seniors at WVU. What a great run it has been. When they beat #6 Florida at the Civic Center a few years ago, that was considered to be a great win...who would have guessed how many more great wins were to come? Congratulations Mountaineers...