1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:03,200 Speaker 1: Shot today at Primo Golf of Barrel dot Com. 2 00:00:03,359 --> 00:00:06,639 Speaker 2: You're tuned to Cougar Sports. We'll be back in sixty 3 00:00:06,679 --> 00:00:09,320 seconds on one oh three, nine and ninety eight three 4 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:13,160 ESPN The Fan. Get to know the Cougar's opponents and 5 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:16,079 rivals right now. I'm gonna know the faux segment on 6 00:00:16,239 --> 00:00:18,039 Cougar Sports with Ben Kretel. 7 00:00:22,559 --> 00:00:24,679 Speaker 3: Welcome back Cougar Sports one O three nine ninety eight 8 00:00:24,679 --> 00:00:27,879 point three ESPN The Fan. I've been crital broadcasting from 9 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:31,239 our Vanderwelt Studios Vanderwealt dot Com. Get on a free 10 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:33,399 Q and A no obligation to invest Q and A 11 00:00:33,479 --> 00:00:37,119 with our tax smart Wealth Advisors, certify financial planners. Nobody 12 00:00:37,119 --> 00:00:39,159 does it better than Blaine Anderson and his crew. It 13 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:41,159 is time to get to know the foe by us 14 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:43,520 in the Big Twelve Tournament. They're gonna be facing the 15 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:46,520 West Virginia men's basketball team, the Mountaineers. 16 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:47,159 Speaker 1: Once again. 17 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:50,280 Speaker 3: It wasn't too long ago that we were previewing another 18 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:54,280 West Virginia BYU matchup in West Virginia came out on top, 19 00:00:54,679 --> 00:00:58,039 shocking Cougar Nation. Shock in the world. And uh, they're 20 00:00:58,039 --> 00:00:59,920 pulling some pretty good ball right now. We're gonna get 21 00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:02,280 to the foe, see what they're doing so well and 22 00:01:02,520 --> 00:01:05,319 why they're a formidable foe versus the Koogs in this 23 00:01:05,439 --> 00:01:07,920 Big twelve basketball tournament. It's going to be brought to 24 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:10,719 you by rubys n rubies In dot com. Rubys Inn 25 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:14,439 is the best lodging, the best lodging, your best home 26 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:19,680 base for exploration of Bryce Canyon National Park. We're getting 27 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:22,200 into the best time of the year to really visit, 28 00:01:22,879 --> 00:01:26,959 in my opinion, Bryce Candon National Park. You can hike, bike, 29 00:01:27,079 --> 00:01:30,400 razor horseback ride through the hoodoos of Bryce Candon, make 30 00:01:30,519 --> 00:01:33,640 some memories with friends and family members. Stay at the 31 00:01:33,719 --> 00:01:36,319 comfortable lodgings of rubys In. 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Insider for 44 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:10,800 all things West Virginia Basketball. Bratt House on the line, Brett, 45 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:11,360 how you living? 46 00:02:12,199 --> 00:02:16,039 Speaker 4: Hello, Ben doing great surprise. We're talking again this quickly 47 00:02:16,039 --> 00:02:19,199 after we just played West Virginian BYU, but excited to 48 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:22,000 be in Kansas City. I'm staring out my room looking 49 00:02:22,039 --> 00:02:23,879 at the T Mobile Center right now, so it should 50 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:25,479 be a fun one coming up in a few hours. 51 00:02:25,759 --> 00:02:28,120 Speaker 3: Yeah, what's the vibe been like so far at the 52 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:28,879 Big twelve tournament? 53 00:02:28,879 --> 00:02:31,840 Speaker 1: How would you describe it? The glass floor and all. 54 00:02:32,879 --> 00:02:35,360 Speaker 4: It's been awesome. You know, that glass floor is so 55 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:39,400 much discussion about it, and I'm a former assistant Netflix 56 00:02:39,479 --> 00:02:42,599 director for marketing in my previous life, so as a 57 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:45,759 marketing guy, I absolutely loved all the possibilities you can 58 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:47,560 do with the glass floor. We'll see how it does. 59 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:50,199 There's been a lot of talk and criticism about it 60 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:52,280 over the last couple of weeks men's and women's tournaments 61 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:55,360 about maybe some slippage, is it hard to play on? 62 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:57,919 And certainly the BYU guys can answer that better than 63 00:02:57,919 --> 00:03:00,240 West Virginia's. We haven't taken the floor yet. But I 64 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:02,319 was at three of the four games yesterday and I 65 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:04,439 did see a ton of slips than To be honest 66 00:03:04,479 --> 00:03:07,199 with you, the graphics are awesome. We'll see about the 67 00:03:07,199 --> 00:03:10,520 playing surface, but it is really cool. Great crowds yesterday. 68 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:13,319 A lot of that was driven by by your BYU group. 69 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:15,879 They were tremendous and had a presence at all three 70 00:03:15,879 --> 00:03:18,000 of the games, even before the Cougars took the floor. 71 00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:21,000 So it was fun, a great start to the tournament. 72 00:03:21,039 --> 00:03:24,080 Here's the one switch. It was eighty four degrees yesterday 73 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:27,400 in Kansas City. Just a beautiful picture atte day. Everybody 74 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:30,719 outside the T Mobile Center today, Ben, I think we've 75 00:03:30,759 --> 00:03:34,159 lost about forty five degrees. It is cold and gray 76 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:37,120 and fitting some rain on it, so better weather yesterday. 77 00:03:37,159 --> 00:03:38,919 A good day to be inside watching the games. 78 00:03:39,199 --> 00:03:42,360 Speaker 3: You mentioned the slippage, you didn't notice much. I mean 79 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:46,240 I maybe saw like one slip in the BYU Kansas 80 00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:49,599 State game ended up being a turnover for Kansas State. 81 00:03:50,240 --> 00:03:54,319 But you didn't see any slippage. No consistent issues with 82 00:03:54,919 --> 00:03:57,680 TEC and surefooting. 83 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 4: I didn't bend, but again, and I'm not playing on it, 84 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:04,439 so I'm always hesitant to say Yeah, it's overblown because 85 00:04:04,479 --> 00:04:06,719 I'm not out there myself. I was on it yesterday 86 00:04:06,719 --> 00:04:09,120 for westbrtdin you shoot around and walked around, but that's 87 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:11,000 a whole different deal than when you're trying to stop 88 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:13,599 on a dime and change directions, and I understand that. 89 00:04:13,719 --> 00:04:16,240 So it was told to me, and again I'm as 90 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:19,639 I'm watching it, I didn't see obvious slips. I only 91 00:04:19,639 --> 00:04:21,360 saw a handful of them. You're right during the case, 92 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:24,160 say yu game, I did notice a couple. I was 93 00:04:24,199 --> 00:04:27,720 told by somebody else. Maybe it's like equivalent to playing 94 00:04:28,079 --> 00:04:31,199 on what is a dusty floor, so occasionally you can't 95 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:33,680 stop as quickly as you would like. But we'll have 96 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:35,439 to say, we'll know more as teams play on it. 97 00:04:35,519 --> 00:04:38,120 But I did not notice this out and out slips 98 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:39,199 as much as I thought I might. 99 00:04:39,879 --> 00:04:42,480 Speaker 3: It seemed like they kind of dampened some of the 100 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:46,079 graphics as well, like the Big twelve logo, at least 101 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:48,519 like the Louis baton Big twelve. It seemed like they 102 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:50,240 damped it a little bit, so it wasn't as like 103 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:52,199 bright and distracting. 104 00:04:53,079 --> 00:04:55,279 Speaker 4: Yeah, I agree with you. It was much more muted. 105 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:57,360 You had to really kind of be up on it too, 106 00:04:57,399 --> 00:04:58,879 and that's a great way to describe it. It does 107 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:01,680 kind of look Louis Baton, But yeah, that looked much 108 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:04,240 more muted and maybe even a little more muted than 109 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:07,000 it looked on TV from the women's tournament last week. 110 00:05:07,079 --> 00:05:11,000 So yeah, it really is. The graphics and the colors 111 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:13,959 really popped during introductions in time outside when you'll see 112 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:16,560 and they've dealt it way back during the in game actions. 113 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:21,160 Speaker 3: West Virginia finished off their season I think pretty pretty well, 114 00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:24,519 getting a win versus BYU seventy nine to seventy one, 115 00:05:24,639 --> 00:05:26,079 and then beating UCF. 116 00:05:26,120 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 1: You did fall to Kansas State. 117 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 3: I'm sure that one was a disappointing one, but overall 118 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:32,879 a solid finish to the season. 119 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:34,959 Speaker 1: How is what's the mindset. 120 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 3: Like of this West Virginia Mountaineers team with a winning 121 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:39,120 two out of their last three games. 122 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:43,279 Speaker 4: Yeah, obviously the BYU game was big for West Virginia 123 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:45,800 to get that at home and then you're right on 124 00:05:45,959 --> 00:05:48,839 the road in Manhattan was just really to be blunt, 125 00:05:48,879 --> 00:05:52,160 a gut punch loss for the Mountaineers because I'm then 126 00:05:52,199 --> 00:05:55,279 I think I'm I'm talking NCAA tournament possibilities with you 127 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:58,560 at West Virginia wins just that game, never mind some others. 128 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:00,199 You win that one, you're ten and eight in the 129 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:02,720 league in America, and I think West Virginia's live for 130 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:05,360 the NCAA tournament, And as of right now, you're certainly 131 00:06:05,399 --> 00:06:08,319 on the outside looking in of that discussion. You probably 132 00:06:08,319 --> 00:06:09,720 have to win a couple here to get in. But 133 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,680 the case a loss was extremely disappointing, then a nice 134 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:15,879 bounce back to win over UCF and get the season 135 00:06:15,959 --> 00:06:20,040 sweep in that series. So this team is remarkably consistent. 136 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:22,519 Doesn't matter if it's a win, if it's a loss, 137 00:06:22,560 --> 00:06:24,439 if it's a two game losing streak, a two game 138 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:27,480 winning streak, they go about their business. It's a veteran team. 139 00:06:27,839 --> 00:06:30,199 They've been here and done that. They're a joy to 140 00:06:30,279 --> 00:06:32,920 be around. That hope this season can keep going because 141 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:35,319 there are a lot of fun, a lot of great guys, 142 00:06:35,360 --> 00:06:38,959 and they're remarkably resilient and consistent. That's the best way 143 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,680 I can describe them. So they're excited, they're looking forward 144 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:43,519 to it. They like playing with each other, like being 145 00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:45,959 around each other, So I think they're excited to enter 146 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:47,040 the postseason here. 147 00:06:47,399 --> 00:06:50,519 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's intriguing. So they got to win a couple like, 148 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:52,040 how many games do you think they got to win 149 00:06:52,079 --> 00:06:53,839 in order to get to an NCAA tournament. 150 00:06:54,639 --> 00:06:58,079 Speaker 4: It's a good question. It might be too then, and 151 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:00,480 I think that you're legitimately in the discussion. I'd be 152 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:03,000 interested to see what happens if West Virginia prevails over 153 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:05,040 BYU who as you guys now, I don't need to 154 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:07,759 tell your listeners are still rated so highly. And then 155 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:10,879 net that would be another significant win. And again, I 156 00:07:10,879 --> 00:07:13,240 think if you dive inside these numbers, and there's really 157 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:15,079 probably not much sense to me talking to you a 158 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:17,680 lot about West Virginia's NCAA numbers, just yet, would you 159 00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:20,600 start to look at quad one victories? Western India stacks 160 00:07:20,680 --> 00:07:23,040 up with anybody from where they are in the NET 161 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:25,639 in the mid fifties all the way up into the 162 00:07:25,720 --> 00:07:28,360 thirties with number of quad one wins, don't have any 163 00:07:28,399 --> 00:07:31,600 Quad four losses, don't have many Quad three losses. Again, 164 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:34,600 some losses within this league, but those aren't treated like 165 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:37,439 non conference. So maybe we'll have a conversation in a 166 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:39,079 week or so. If West Virginia can get out there 167 00:07:39,079 --> 00:07:41,000 and get a couple wins. 168 00:07:41,439 --> 00:07:43,879 Speaker 1: What would you say, you know, is. 169 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 3: The improvement that West Virginia has made in the in 170 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:52,160 the like the last four games of the season. What's 171 00:07:52,279 --> 00:07:55,759 tangible evidence that this team is better towards the end 172 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:57,040 of the season than they were kind of in that 173 00:07:57,199 --> 00:08:01,680 mid mid big twelve funk that they dropped into. 174 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:04,839 Speaker 4: Yeah, there's a couple things, And I don't know that 175 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:07,480 it's a ton different. I mean, you're talking about a 176 00:08:07,519 --> 00:08:11,879 team that's a possession away from literally three or four wins. 177 00:08:11,879 --> 00:08:14,720 And again we're having a totally different conversation, So there 178 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:17,879 hasn't been a big difference a lot of its matchup base. 179 00:08:18,279 --> 00:08:20,199 And you know how this works in this league. The 180 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:22,920 margin for air is so thinned. So on one night, 181 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:24,800 if you missed a couple extra threes or don't get 182 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:26,879 to the free throw line or foul the other team 183 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:28,480 and they get to the line a little bit more, 184 00:08:28,839 --> 00:08:31,639 you've got a problem and you probably lose. Now, this team, 185 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:34,080 I think is playing some of the best defense it's played. 186 00:08:34,399 --> 00:08:37,279 This is an intricate defensive system that Ross Hodge employees, 187 00:08:37,559 --> 00:08:38,879 and I think as we get to the end of 188 00:08:38,919 --> 00:08:41,559 the season, now the guys really understand it. But when 189 00:08:41,559 --> 00:08:44,440 West Virginia has lost games, it generally comes at the 190 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:47,200 free throw line. And that's one of the concerns tonight 191 00:08:47,240 --> 00:08:49,759 when you're playing an Aja Debonca led team. And I 192 00:08:49,759 --> 00:08:52,519 don't again don't need to tell you this, but when 193 00:08:52,600 --> 00:08:54,440 he gets to the line as much as he does, 194 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:57,240 if it's one of those nights, West virgin is in trouble. 195 00:08:57,559 --> 00:09:00,600 In the four losses that has had most recently, West 196 00:09:00,639 --> 00:09:03,960 Virginia is minus forty points at the free throw line. 197 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:06,960 So when they have guarded and fouled, and again that's 198 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:09,559 the concern with aj going against him. He's so good 199 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:12,120 at drawing fouls best in the Big Twelve. If West 200 00:09:12,159 --> 00:09:14,720 Virginia's putting him on the line, could be a tough 201 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:17,679 night in Morgantown. I thought they did a tremendous job, 202 00:09:17,679 --> 00:09:19,120 one of the best jobs in any team's done on 203 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:22,399 him all season. Guarding without fouling held him too. That 204 00:09:22,480 --> 00:09:25,440 season low first half total of four points kept him 205 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:27,480 off the free throw line for the most part. If 206 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:30,879 you're able to do that, West Virginia generally turns out well. 207 00:09:30,919 --> 00:09:33,480 If they're fouling, could be a long night for the Mountaineers. 208 00:09:34,399 --> 00:09:37,679 Speaker 3: Brad Howe, West Virginia Basketball anaeles Year on your Utah 209 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:41,159 ESPN Radio Network, getting to know the foe and getting 210 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:43,240 to know this West Virginia team a little bit better. 211 00:09:43,679 --> 00:09:46,720 So what was the vibe lock can shoot around today 212 00:09:46,759 --> 00:09:49,279 for West Virginia's game day. You know they're warming up, 213 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:51,440 they're getting getting into the swing of things. What's the 214 00:09:51,519 --> 00:09:53,600 what's the game day vibe coming from the team? 215 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 1: Would you say? 216 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 4: Bouncy and excited to play, recognize the challenge. It's in fun. 217 00:09:58,519 --> 00:10:01,039 I'm given with what AJ put forth last night. A 218 00:10:01,039 --> 00:10:03,840 lot of guys watched that leave coaches over there scouting obviously, 219 00:10:03,919 --> 00:10:06,440 so they're excited for the opportunity to go. As I 220 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:08,519 told you last time, what I think is the best 221 00:10:08,519 --> 00:10:11,840 player in this league. So tremendous opportunity. And again it's 222 00:10:11,879 --> 00:10:14,559 a group of guys that's excited to be at West Virginia. 223 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:17,000 They're excited to be playing in their first Big twelve 224 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:19,240 tournament for all of these guys. So it was a 225 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:21,440 bouncy crew a shoot around. They're ready to get out 226 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:22,320 there and take their swinks. 227 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:25,639 Speaker 1: How can they replicate what they did versus b YU. 228 00:10:26,440 --> 00:10:29,480 Just seems like a few days ago, just a week 229 00:10:29,559 --> 00:10:33,080 or so ago when they knocked off the Kops. Yeah. 230 00:10:33,159 --> 00:10:34,639 Speaker 4: Again, a couple of things that are going to be 231 00:10:34,639 --> 00:10:37,120 a challenge. First and foremost is what I just said about. 232 00:10:37,159 --> 00:10:38,960 AJ got to stay out of foul trouble so that 233 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:42,279 if they do, then that allows six nine Brennan Laurient 234 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:45,080 to get the bulk of the reps against AJ, and 235 00:10:45,120 --> 00:10:47,879 I think that's just critical. Brennan Laurian is the guy 236 00:10:47,919 --> 00:10:51,879 that matches AJ size, has the ability to move laterally 237 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:54,960 if Brennan is not in foul trouble and can be 238 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:58,159 the primary matchup West Virginia feels good. That's number one. 239 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:00,759 Number two, you got to keep the turnover low, as 240 00:11:00,799 --> 00:11:04,399 West Virginia did in Morgantown. Make BYU have to grind 241 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:07,120 out possessions. That's how West Virginia wants to play. They're 242 00:11:07,120 --> 00:11:09,679 giving up easy baskets to the Cougars going the other way. 243 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:12,720 It's By's favor. And then I think the third part, 244 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:15,559 and I'll be surprised if West Virginia has the same 245 00:11:15,639 --> 00:11:18,279 level of dominance this game, because I would imagine Kevin 246 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:20,759 Young focused heavily on this. But West Virginia had a 247 00:11:20,799 --> 00:11:23,919 season high eighteen offensive rebounds in the first meeting, So 248 00:11:24,080 --> 00:11:26,360 I thought that was if we're niching it really down 249 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:28,759 to anything. That was the biggest difference in the first 250 00:11:28,759 --> 00:11:31,080 meeting is West Virginia was really on the glass. So 251 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:35,200 those are the three things guard without fouling, low turnovers offensively, 252 00:11:35,399 --> 00:11:37,039 got to get on the offensive glass. 253 00:11:37,279 --> 00:11:40,960 Speaker 3: When when you've been discussing the scattering report of BYU 254 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:44,759 with the coaching staff and the players, and you see 255 00:11:44,799 --> 00:11:47,960 the undulations of BYU, you see the jackal and hide. 256 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:51,559 You see like on one game they're just they look 257 00:11:51,639 --> 00:11:53,120 like one of the worst teams in the Big twelve, 258 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:55,440 and then the next minute they can knock off top 259 00:11:55,480 --> 00:12:00,080 ten teams. Give me an eval of who BYU is 260 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:02,960 from your perspective and maybe the perspective of the coaching 261 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:04,559 staff and those that you interact with. 262 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:08,639 Speaker 4: Yeah, the biggest thing is, again I'm not breaking any 263 00:12:08,679 --> 00:12:11,360 news here, but it's just two of the most dynamic 264 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:14,799 offensive players in this league and Right and Devons, and 265 00:12:14,840 --> 00:12:17,840 so the ability and the resources it takes to try 266 00:12:17,879 --> 00:12:21,159 and close the lane off on those guys primarily is 267 00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:24,039 such a challenge because then you're leaving shooters on the line. 268 00:12:24,039 --> 00:12:26,559 And again, I know by use a lot different with 269 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:28,559 no Ritchie Sanders sitting out there in the wing. I mean, 270 00:12:28,559 --> 00:12:30,919 you can see why when you have those three operating 271 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:33,360 it with such a difficult offense to stop, but there's 272 00:12:33,360 --> 00:12:36,440 still shooters for YU and this Mountaineer team and coaching 273 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:39,159 staff knows that. So you're trying to cut off the lane. 274 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:41,879 You're trying to load the paint and eliminate those pick 275 00:12:41,919 --> 00:12:44,159 and rolls and those drives to the basket that both 276 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:46,279 of those guys are so good at, but still be 277 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:49,000 able to recover to the three point line. So that's 278 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:51,960 the biggest challenge, and that's why I think it's important 279 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:54,480 if you're West Virginia the time of possession. You know 280 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:57,120 that that's normally a football staff that we use. The 281 00:12:57,159 --> 00:13:00,279 time of confession is critical for West Virginia. They like 282 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:02,399 to use clock. They want to slow down some of 283 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:05,240 these teams that are really athletic and good in transition, 284 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:07,600 and BYU is one of those. If you look at 285 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:11,240 West Virginia's top six games this year when they lead 286 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:14,840 possession by the greatest amount of time, they're five to one. 287 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:17,919 At the top of that list is the game against BYU. 288 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:20,679 Last week. West Virginia had it for a bigger gap 289 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:22,919 of time of possession than in any other game during 290 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:25,200 the season, and we saw how that turned out. It 291 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:28,600 was advantage West Virginia. So if you're watching tonight kind 292 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:30,480 of a back and forth at BYU is able to 293 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:33,440 get turnovers and run out and get quick easy shots 294 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:36,919 against West Virginia, advantaged Cougar's. If this turns into a 295 00:13:36,919 --> 00:13:39,639 little bit of a grind and West Virginia's using clock 296 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:42,679 and it's forcing BYU to make some passes, that's probably 297 00:13:42,720 --> 00:13:44,919 advantage West Virginia. 298 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:47,080 Speaker 1: Who do you think wins this big twelve tournament? Who's 299 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:48,200 your favorite to win it all? 300 00:13:49,039 --> 00:13:51,879 Speaker 4: Oh, it's such a great question. So hard. I just 301 00:13:52,159 --> 00:13:54,799 I think Houston's really good. It's hard to go against 302 00:13:54,799 --> 00:13:58,000 Arizona at this point. They're just so talented and can 303 00:13:58,039 --> 00:14:00,679 beat you with so many different guys. So again, I 304 00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:03,039 know that's not that's breaking any news to come on 305 00:14:03,039 --> 00:14:05,360 your program and give you a talk like that, But 306 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:07,840 those two are really good, you know. I Aoway state 307 00:14:07,919 --> 00:14:09,840 has a lot of talent, and this place a lot 308 00:14:09,879 --> 00:14:12,960 of times turns into Hilton South, So that's a challenge. 309 00:14:13,759 --> 00:14:16,000 I just think the top of this league is just 310 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:20,000 so so good all national championship contenders, so really wouldn't 311 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:21,919 be surprised with any of those top teams in there. 312 00:14:22,279 --> 00:14:24,639 Speaker 3: How many Big twelve teams do you foresee getting into 313 00:14:24,639 --> 00:14:25,879 the NCAA tournament. 314 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:31,320 Speaker 4: Well, you're asking hard hitting, tough questions here. All of 315 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:33,960 them should be in this isle. 316 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 1: You know what? 317 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:38,039 Speaker 3: Like there's an argument for that, I don't. Unfortunately, they're 318 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:40,440 not gonna tip the cab to the Big twelve. I 319 00:14:40,440 --> 00:14:42,320 think they're going to try to get as many of 320 00:14:42,360 --> 00:14:44,759 them in a It's just a really good conference this year. 321 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:46,559 Speaker 1: In particular, I think this. 322 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:49,679 Speaker 4: I do think the conversation needs to be broaden though, 323 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:51,480 and I know those of us that follow the league 324 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:54,879 understand this. And again I'm recognizing my own biases in 325 00:14:54,919 --> 00:14:56,799 there with with the West Virginia side of things. But 326 00:14:57,399 --> 00:14:59,519 I'll take it all the way down to that level 327 00:15:00,159 --> 00:15:03,360 to this league, all the way down from from Arizona 328 00:15:03,679 --> 00:15:06,720 down through the TCU b YU, Cincinnati, u CF, and 329 00:15:06,759 --> 00:15:10,360 West Virginia's I think all of those have have cases. 330 00:15:10,399 --> 00:15:12,600 And again I know BYU, based on its net, is 331 00:15:12,639 --> 00:15:14,159 going to be in even though it walks into this 332 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:16,440 tournament at the tenn zee, they're in the tournament. But 333 00:15:16,480 --> 00:15:18,919 I think you can make arguments for Cincinnati, UCF and 334 00:15:18,919 --> 00:15:21,320 West Virginia. Ben, this is the West Virginia team that 335 00:15:21,399 --> 00:15:24,600 beat both of those teams twice, four and oh over 336 00:15:24,679 --> 00:15:27,960 those two teams. If West Virginia beats the BYU team again, 337 00:15:28,039 --> 00:15:31,240 it's six and oh over those teams, which again UCF 338 00:15:31,320 --> 00:15:33,919 kind of considered a lock. Buyu's inn. I think there 339 00:15:33,919 --> 00:15:36,320 should be all the way down through West Virginia have 340 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:38,320 a legitimate case in what I think is the best 341 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:40,080 league in America. 342 00:15:40,279 --> 00:15:41,159 Speaker 1: It's a great one. 343 00:15:43,279 --> 00:15:44,240 Speaker 4: Box, but there you go. 344 00:15:44,399 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 3: I love I love the soapbox commentaries. It's it's the good, 345 00:15:49,519 --> 00:15:52,279 the bad, the beautiful, the ugly of being in such 346 00:15:52,279 --> 00:15:57,399 an awesome conference. Right, Like, there's a strong argument that 347 00:15:57,399 --> 00:15:59,960 that you're right. Like if if West Virginia had beaten 348 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:02,840 Kansas State, right and they and they waltzed into this 349 00:16:02,879 --> 00:16:06,039 Big twelve tournament and they're ten and eight, like, it 350 00:16:06,159 --> 00:16:08,320 just feels like they should be. They should be an 351 00:16:08,399 --> 00:16:11,840 NC double A tournament team, They should be in the 352 00:16:12,039 --> 00:16:14,679 in the Big Dance. And right now it's unfortate because 353 00:16:15,279 --> 00:16:20,519 beating BYU and then getting getting past a really you know, 354 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:23,919 an even better team in the in the next round. 355 00:16:24,360 --> 00:16:26,320 I mean, that's a tall task, just to get into 356 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:28,960 the Big Twelve, into the Big Dance, into the nc 357 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:29,799 double A tournament. 358 00:16:29,919 --> 00:16:31,039 Speaker 1: That's gonna be a difficult thing. 359 00:16:31,919 --> 00:16:33,600 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think there's no question. I mean to give 360 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:35,840 you the number, the reason I'm saying, if West Virginia 361 00:16:35,879 --> 00:16:39,399 had beaten Kansas State, I think you're in. It's seventy 362 00:16:39,519 --> 00:16:42,600 six out of seventy six teams that have gone ten 363 00:16:42,639 --> 00:16:45,320 and eight in this league since twenty ten that have 364 00:16:45,399 --> 00:16:48,120 made an NCAA tournament. Yeah, So just full stop. I 365 00:16:48,120 --> 00:16:49,759 don't know that it matters what else. I think you're 366 00:16:49,759 --> 00:16:52,240 staring at a couple of teams. Cincinnati's in that boat 367 00:16:52,279 --> 00:16:54,679 do at nine and nine. So I just I think 368 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:56,639 this is a really quality league. And I think if 369 00:16:56,679 --> 00:16:59,720 at least if you're having bubble discussions, if West Virginia 370 00:16:59,759 --> 00:17:02,480 find a way to win this game, in particular over 371 00:17:02,559 --> 00:17:04,720 another really quality team with again, what I think is 372 00:17:04,759 --> 00:17:06,799 one of the best players in the country is not 373 00:17:06,920 --> 00:17:10,319 the best. I think that deserves at least some conversations. 374 00:17:10,519 --> 00:17:13,079 And again, this league is so good and deep it 375 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:14,640 deserves to get that recognition. 376 00:17:14,680 --> 00:17:18,759 Speaker 3: In my opinion, Big Twelve awards were doled out earlier 377 00:17:18,759 --> 00:17:23,880 this week. Any qualms anything that you pointed out, I 378 00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:28,359 disagree with this, whether it be it Newcome or Player 379 00:17:28,400 --> 00:17:31,000 of the Year or first second team. Where did you 380 00:17:31,079 --> 00:17:33,079 stand Any honorable mentions that you thought I should have 381 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:33,599 been mentioned? 382 00:17:34,319 --> 00:17:36,279 Speaker 4: Yeah, I wish I could scream and yell a little 383 00:17:36,319 --> 00:17:38,839 bit more about that. I get that it's so hard 384 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:42,079 in this league, and if we study the voting, it 385 00:17:42,160 --> 00:17:44,200 generally goes as it does. Coach of the Year is 386 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:47,160 generally the coach that wins the league, although I generally 387 00:17:47,240 --> 00:17:51,960 side with a coach that has overachieved comparative to preseason expectations, 388 00:17:51,960 --> 00:17:54,759 but that's just a personal bias. I see why Jaden 389 00:17:54,759 --> 00:17:56,680 Bradley got Player of the Year. Is certainly deserves I 390 00:17:56,720 --> 00:17:58,839 think I told you when we talked last I thought 391 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:01,119 AJ's the best player in the league. But I get 392 00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:03,559 it it generally goes to somebody that wins the league. 393 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:05,960 In that category. You just start to go down those 394 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:09,440 first and second teams. It's remarkable. And again you have 395 00:18:09,559 --> 00:18:11,359 me on to talk West Virginia, so I'll talk about 396 00:18:11,359 --> 00:18:14,279 Honor Huff for a second. Guy that's top five nationally 397 00:18:14,720 --> 00:18:17,039 in three pointers made, He's a guy that in the 398 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:20,119 one hundred and some year history of West Virginia basketball, 399 00:18:20,279 --> 00:18:22,240 he's only been three that have made one hundred or 400 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:24,960 more threes in a season. And I recognize it didn't 401 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:26,880 always have the three point line, but one of three 402 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:29,880 guys to do it, and he just slides into honorable mentions. 403 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:32,559 I think that shows you the depth and talent in 404 00:18:32,599 --> 00:18:34,920 this league, which is just just jaw dropping. 405 00:18:35,759 --> 00:18:36,559 Speaker 1: No doubt about it. 406 00:18:36,559 --> 00:18:41,440 Speaker 3: Give me a little prognostication on this BYU West Virginia game. 407 00:18:41,519 --> 00:18:43,880 BYU's favored, but I think they were favored last time. 408 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:45,640 I think they're favored by four and a half. ESPN 409 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:49,200 Analytics giving BYO sixty eight point one percent chance of victory. 410 00:18:49,279 --> 00:18:50,880 Speaker 1: Five pm. Tip off at. 411 00:18:50,799 --> 00:18:54,240 Speaker 3: Team Mobile Center in Kansas City, by the way, Cougar Nation, 412 00:18:54,319 --> 00:18:56,279 you can watch it on ESPN two. What do you 413 00:18:56,559 --> 00:18:58,720 how would you break this game down and how do 414 00:18:58,720 --> 00:18:59,559 you think it ends up? 415 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:01,880 Speaker 4: Yeah? I think this is going to be a really 416 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:04,240 good one. I think if from a West Virginia perspective, 417 00:19:04,599 --> 00:19:07,119 the challenge for it will be not only just the 418 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:11,240 stopping aunt Debontsa, who's obviously not the confidence is ever 419 00:19:11,279 --> 00:19:13,119 a problem, but coming off the game in which he 420 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:15,599 had yesterday, and you get a BYU team that got 421 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:17,759 its lakes under it, and it understands how to play 422 00:19:17,759 --> 00:19:19,720 on this floor, and it got if there were any 423 00:19:19,799 --> 00:19:21,839 jitters that existed, it got that out of there. So 424 00:19:21,839 --> 00:19:24,440 some believe that playing in that first day gives you 425 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:27,279 advantage in that second game. If you're West Virginia, you've 426 00:19:27,279 --> 00:19:29,720 got to be able to replicate the game in Morgantown, 427 00:19:30,039 --> 00:19:32,920 and the challenge will be some of those categories turnovers 428 00:19:32,920 --> 00:19:36,039 and offensive rebounds in particular. We're at or near your 429 00:19:36,079 --> 00:19:40,160 season best, So the duplication of a performance that may 430 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:43,119 have been West Virginia's best this season in back to 431 00:19:43,160 --> 00:19:46,160 back half, that would be the challenge I see going forward. 432 00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:49,039 And so again I just give you one real key 433 00:19:49,079 --> 00:19:52,680 of all those things I've talked about. If AJ's drawing 434 00:19:52,759 --> 00:19:56,799 fouls early, I think big advantage for BYU. If West 435 00:19:56,880 --> 00:19:59,359 Virginia is guarding and the thing looks kind of ugly 436 00:19:59,720 --> 00:20:02,359 and bonds of not getting to the line early, then 437 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:03,799 I think we're in for a game, and I think 438 00:20:03,839 --> 00:20:05,160 we have a real good one today. 439 00:20:05,880 --> 00:20:06,160 Speaker 1: Brad. 440 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:08,079 Speaker 3: Best way to support you what you do, how you 441 00:20:08,119 --> 00:20:10,400 do it, for all of our listeners. 442 00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:12,720 Speaker 4: Probably the easiest you can find me on X at 443 00:20:12,799 --> 00:20:17,279 Brad Howe Howe and then the numbers zero seven at 444 00:20:17,279 --> 00:20:18,440 Brad how zero seven. 445 00:20:19,119 --> 00:20:21,960 Speaker 3: Appreciate you, Brad, always a pleasure talking ball with you. 446 00:20:22,119 --> 00:20:25,200 Enjoy the game tonight and we'll catch up with again soon. 447 00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:27,920 Speaker 4: Okay, Ben, thanks for having me. I always like talking 448 00:20:27,920 --> 00:20:28,359 with you. 449 00:20:28,519 --> 00:20:31,079 Speaker 3: Yes, sir, appreciate Brad how That segment was brought to 450 00:20:31,119 --> 00:20:34,119 you by our good friends at Rubysndrubiesin dot com. You 451 00:20:34,119 --> 00:20:38,000 can hike, bike, razor horseback ride through the hoodoos. 452 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:38,200 Speaker 1: Of Bryce Kenyon. 453 00:20:38,279 --> 00:20:42,160 Speaker 3: Make sure you're staying at at Ruby's in when you 454 00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:45,440 explore the wonder of the West Bryce Kanyon National Park. 455 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:47,640 Speaker 1: Make memories with friends and family members. 456 00:20:47,720 --> 00:20:50,400 Speaker 3: I love going down there because I get spacious rooms, 457 00:20:50,440 --> 00:20:53,480 comfortable bed, comfortable lodging. I get an all you can 458 00:20:53,519 --> 00:20:58,039 eat breakfast buffet filled with all manner of nutrients. This 459 00:20:58,119 --> 00:21:01,799 mortal body is weak. I need Susan to help me 460 00:21:02,279 --> 00:21:04,680 win my way through those beautiful hoodoos. 461 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:06,279 Speaker 1: Of Bright Canyon National Park. 462 00:21:06,359 --> 00:21:08,319 Speaker 3: You should head on down there as well and make 463 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:10,400 some memories with friends and family members. 464 00:21:10,440 --> 00:21:13,319 Speaker 1: Spend some time with those the family. Isn't it about time. 465 00:21:13,599 --> 00:21:15,839 Speaker 3: Make sure you spending time with the family and make 466 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:18,039 some memories there at Ruby Zenn and Bryce Cannon. 467 00:21:18,440 --> 00:21:19,319 Speaker 1: Guys, that's our show. 468 00:21:19,400 --> 00:21:22,240 Speaker 3: We're sticking to a Download the podcast iTunes, Sprink or 469 00:21:22,319 --> 00:21:24,680 Google play Music, iHeartRadio, Spotify. 470 00:21:25,119 --> 00:21:27,319 Speaker 1: Give us a rating, give us a review. We appreciate 471 00:21:27,359 --> 00:21:27,880 it when you do. 472 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:31,880 Speaker 3: Make sure you're following us on our ESPN, the ESPN, 473 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:35,200 the fan platforms. You can also follow me on Twitter 474 00:21:35,279 --> 00:21:39,119 and Instagram. Just search Ben Krittle and Cougar Sports and 475 00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:42,519 you can follow me. There also be Corgaroda everyone that 476 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:44,559 joined us. We had a star set of Cash as always, 477 00:21:44,559 --> 00:21:47,519 Big Cougarorta, Ronald the three Man Weaver, Brett always bringing 478 00:21:47,519 --> 00:21:49,839 the hamming, Bvick Graham a part of our team. Also 479 00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:54,160 Big Kagaroor to Brad Howe. We had a great segment 480 00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:57,960 with him getting to know the foe Jackson Paine Action 481 00:21:58,119 --> 00:22:00,559 Jackson Pain of the Desert ret News Rock our little 482 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:05,200 bracketology talk with him. Josiah Phillips uh in a