Mountaineers Defy Expectations, Win NIT
by Ray Floriani
NEW YORK – Coaches will tell you the first four minutes of both halves are crucial. Getting off to a good start is crucial. The last four minutes of the first half are almost of equal importance. West Virginia used that time sequence to distance themselves from Clemson en route to a 78-73 victory in the NIT Championship.
West Virginia handled the Clemson press and ran their halfcourt sets very well. They enjoyed a few early leads, but Clemson, largely on the guard play of K.C. Rivers and inside work of Trevor Booker, would stay even.
Over those final four minutes of the half, West Virginia went on a 12-2 run to take a 38-26 lead into the locker room. John Beilein’s club did it the way they know best: bury the three-pointer. Frank Young buried a pair while Da’Sean Butler and Jamie Smalligan also knocked one down during those last few minutes.
The second half saw West Virginia extend the lead on several occasions. Solid ball movement, expert three-point marksmanship and their 1-3-1 zone all contributed to building and maintaining the lead.
Down the stretch, West Virginia was in control. In the last few minutes, a combination of Mountaineer turnovers and Clemson treys accounted for the final five-point margin. It was misleading because it wasn’t as close as the final score indicated.
Young led all scorers with 24 points to earn tournament MVP honors. Butler, a freshman, came off the bench to add 20 points while grabbing 7 rebounds. “It’s great to go to your bench and not lose any scoring,” Beilein said in reference to Butler’s outstanding performance in relief.
Clemson had four scores in double figures led by Rivers with 18. West Virginia shot 50 percent for the game, 58 percent the second half and was a torrid 60 percent (12 of 20) beyond the arc for the evening.
Notes
- One of the initial things Beilein addressed was expectations heading into the season. Many a prognosticator felt there would be no postseason for West Virginia. Forget NCAA or NIT – not even the Big East Tournament. Beilein knew what the predictions said, but deep down he saw differently. “I knew this wouldn’t be a rebuilding year,” the coach said. “Last season this group would scrimmage our Sweet 16 team. Early on, this group got beat good but they closed the gap and got more competitive in practice as the year wore on. I knew with the team returning and kids coming in we could be competitive.”
Young said the team used the low prognostication as an incentive. “We read the pre-season magazines and see what is written about us,” he said. “It definitely motivated us,” Young added regarding the predictions. “Coach (Beilein) also used it as a motivator at times during pre-season practice. He reminded us we were not going to be rebuilding this year.” Beilein, it turns out, had the best forecast. - Following the semifinal, Frank Young was asked if the game against Mississippi State was fueled by Big East pride. “Come to think of it we didn’t mention that as a team,” Young said on Tuesday evening. In the wake of the championship triumph, the West Virginia senior admitted the mindset was different. “We definitely wanted to win this as representatives of the Big East. We want the conference to win both NCAAs and we felt we could start adding an NIT championship. I know we will be pulling for Georgetown this weekend and the Rutgers women in their Final Four.”
Beilein also will have a serious rooting interest this weekend for the Hoyas. “No question,” Beilein said when asked if he’s pulling for Georgetown. “We played three top 10s one week and they were the only ones, right guys (he said to Butler and Young with him in the interview room), that we could never handle. I am a big fan of Jesuit education (Wheeling Jesuit ’75) and really admire their entire program. Coach (John III) Thompson does a great job and I feel they are a fabulous team and as intelligent a team as there is in the country.” - Clemson coach Oliver Purnell, naturally disappointed, looked back on the completed campaign with satisfaction. “I think we had a good year,” Purnell said. “We tied our school record for most consecutive wins (17) to start a season. We were ranked many weeks in the top 25. We had a tough spot, but this group hug in there. The kids advanced all the way to the finals of the NIT and had a great time in New York.”
- Purnell also felt West Virginia maintained intensity the entire game while his Clemson club only did so early on and in the latter stages. The game, as it turned out, could be thought of as a microcosm of the Tigers’ entire campaign.
- A crowd of 7,761 attended the finals. Not great, but remember: the closest school, West Virginia, is an eight-hour ride away. Just over 7,000 were in attendance for the semifinal doubleheader.
- West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin was in attendance and came down to the floor to congratulate coach Beilein, the players and cheerleaders after the final buzzer. West Virginia fans even cheered the announcement that Manchin was in attendance. I don’t think New Jersey fans would warm up to their governor in a similar manner.
- All Tournament Team: Jamont Gordon, Mississippi State; Jacob Burtshi, Air Force; K.C. Rivers, Clemson; Darris Nichols, West Virginia; Frank Young, West Virginia (MVP)
On the Baseline
- Clemson’s dance team cited Central Park and Times Square as favorite spots on their New York Visit. They also made a very appropriate stop at the Broadway Center for Dance.
- I’m often critical of young fans not knowing their school’s basketball history or tradition. One fan had a number 44 West Virginia jersey on. I asked two WVU students seated behind me if they knew who wore # 44 ? “Jerry West,” was the reply, “one of the greatest players in basketball history.” The faith is restored.
- What is the best part of a three-day visit to New York? “Winning this, the NIT, of course,” said one WVU cheerleader.
