WVU: Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Friars

It's put up or shut up time for WVU.  With the bubble shrinking considerably the past few days (thanks George Mason and San Diego), teams like WVU have little room for error now.

WVU should be in, but they don't call it March Madness for nothin'—if, for example Seton Hall beats Syracuse for the Big East title, WVU may get a chance to be the back-to-back champions that nobody wants to be.

The Mountaineers open tournament play against Providence for the 87th time in the last five years and will play them for the third time this season. 

I've heard enough of this "it's difficult to beat a team three times in one year" nonsense.  There's a REASON WVU won the first two, and there's a REASON (read: Joe Alexander) why they’re going to win the third.  

The run will likely stop there, although WVU did make a nifty comeback in Storrs, they just don’t have the firepower to stay with UConn, especially in postseason play. 

But win the game against Provy and the 'Eers should be dancing—that's a hefty accomplishment by a first year coach who brought in a style entirely unsuited for the players he was dealt. 

WVU will look to channel some of the 2005 Elite Eight magic when they made a run to the Big East tournament finals then beat Creighton, Wake Forest, and Texas Tech before bowing to Louisville in OT. 

But in all honesty, I'll just be happy to make it.  Now if Jamie Smalligan can find his Kevin Pittsnogle costume for the big dance (yes, I know, that's asking a lot), there might be a reason to burn some furniture...

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