The Charleston Gazette Wrote:Notes on WVU's tourney journey
By Mitch Vingle
Sports Editor
March 26, 2008

Ye olde notebook: I enjoyed listening to Xavier coach Sean Miller on a conference call the other day.

The former Pitt Panthers player has a sense of humor.
(Question: "Did Bob Huggins recruit you?'' Answer: "I was too good for him.'' He added he was kidding.
Question: "Do you remember playing any particular game against West Virginia?'' Answer: "I only remember the victories against West Virginia.'')

What I enjoyed most, though, was how he put up with questions over manufactured story lines, yet cut to the quick.

Miller said coaches' sons, which he and Huggins are, "have a common bond.'' And he left it at that. When asked about any "hate'' for WVU, he laughed and said he doesn't hate anyone. "It's a rivalry. Playing Coach Huggins' team in the Sweet 16 is bigger than all that.''

Miller was asked about his youth versus that of Huggins. "The game will come down to which team plays the best,'' he said.

And he's right. The rest is simply window dressing. Huggins, who used to coach Cincinnati, versus Xavier, which is located in Cincinnati, has very little, if any, bearing on this. The Mountaineer coach is 8-9 overall against Xavier. WVU is a one-point favorite. It's a push.

This will come down to West Virginia's ability to create separation from Xavier's fine defense for looks. It will come down to WVU staying away from turnovers, something it has done all season. If the Mountaineers accomplish those goals, there's every reason to believe they can win.

Yes, Xavier has a pinch more height. The Musketeers have a bit more athleticism. They are very balanced. But West Virginia can counter that when standout Joe Alexander squares his shoulders. When Alex Ruoff and Darris Nichols help from the outside. And if Joe Mazzulla has anywhere close to the game he had against Duke.

Alexander, by the way, is receiving more and more love in regard to the NBA draft. A Los Angeles Times mock draft recently projected the Mountaineer would be the No. 14 selection if he declared early.

While I'm not convinced the junior is ready for the NBA, it wouldn't surprise me if he jumps, something at which he's very, very good. If your stock is high, you go.

Stunningly, if Alexander turns pro and sticks, he would be the first WVU player to do so since Lowes Moore, who left Morgantown in 1980 and played for three years in the NBA.

OK, so let's say West Virginia survives its matchup with Xavier. Would the Mountaineers have a shot against top-seed UCLA?

Recent history certainly says yes. WVU defeated the Bruins in 2006 by 60-56 in Los Angeles and in 2007 by 70-65 in Morgantown.

Also, UCLA is hurting a bit. Bruin coach Ben Howland sent forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute for an MRI on his sprained left ankle Monday. Also, Josh Shipp, another forward, was suffering from strep throat as well as a shooting slump. Howland had Shipp take antibiotics and 375 shots in a Monday practice.

Might turn out to be a very nice bracket slot for the Mountaineers.

So, you want a ticket to the Phoenix regional, huh?

On Stubhub.com, which buys and sells them, one ticket to the event went for $2,530. On the flip side, another went for just $81, which is $40 below face value.

On an average, though, tickets are selling for $302 apiece.

And finally . . .

A parting thought. While West Virginia's run is terrific for the Mountaineer players and fans, it should also be a shot in the arm for Huggins' recruiting effort.

Say what you will about Huggins being portrayed as the "evil'' to Duke's "good'' Mike Krzyzewski in the NCAA second-round game, the Mountaineer coach is alive and well in college basketball's national consciousness. If you don't think Huggins can exploit that in regard to recruiting, well, you haven't been paying attention.

Also, a somewhat surprising byproduct of the attention has been a few kind words for the Mountain State. Normally, we get the same old, there's-no-pro-team-here-so-the-Mountaineers-are-the-only-game-in-town line. That is usually preceded by or followed by a hillbilly crack.

Lesley Visser, though, of CBS Sports.com, wrote of why WVU is a team to adopt in the tournament. She mentioned the current players, including Mazzulla. She mentioned Jerry West. Then she added this:

"Another reason to root for WVU? You'll want to go to West Virginia to celebrate. In the heart of Appalachia, the border state is known for its natural beauty. The highest summit, Spruce Knob, is often covered in clouds. Celebrations in Morgantown include long and loud renditions of "Take Me Home, Country Roads," and no one ever talks about 'West Virginia Mystique.' ''

So true, Lesley. So true.

To contact sports editor Mitch Vingle, send e-mail to mitchvingle@wvgazette.com or call (304) 348-4827.

Boy he sure got it right about the usual media descriptions of WV.

It's nice to see Joe Alexander getting such notice too. But I think he'll be back next year. He seems like the kind of kid who wants an education, and will let the NBA wait another year. We'll find out shortly, I guess.