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Articles by Joel Norman
Swing changes lead to increased power numbers for Gray
To call the 2018 version of the WVU baseball an above-average campaign is technically true. However, a deeper look at the team reveals many flaws.With a 21-19 record entering Sunday’s game against Texas, the Mountaineers are not on pace to qualify for consecutive NCAA Tournaments.
Mazey takes similar approach to hockey and baseball
WVU baseball head coach Randy Mazey is what many analysts would consider an old-school game manager.On a typical night at Monongalia County Ballpark, a spectator will see .300 hitters asked to bunt, catchers told to take off on the base paths for a hit-and-run and a designated hitter pitch in addition to hitting.Mazey’s Mountaineers play the game of baseball with the stylings of a National League team scraping for runs like a kid with the bottom of a pudding cup.
Serrano finds new home at West Virginia University
For first-year WVU baseball pitching coach Dave Serrano, the journey to Morgantown is about starting anew.After six NCAA Tournament appearances, three conference regular season championships and two College World Series appearances at UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton, Serrano took his head coaching talents to Knoxville, Tenn., to coach at the University of Tennessee.With such an impeccable start to his head coaching career, things would only get better at a higher-profile university.
WVU seeks Elite Eight berth against top-seeded Villanova
Hoping to continue its season, the West Virginia men’s basketball team takes on Villanova in the Sweet 16 portion of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night at 7:27 p.m.WVU’s third appearance in the Sweet 16 in four years will be played in Boston at the TD Garden and TBS will broadcast the game. The winner of Friday’s game will face the winner of Texas Tech vs.
Idiot's guide to West Virginia's first 15 games
May 10, 2017; Sam Kessler chilling in the Pirates dugout during the third inning against Penn State John Lowe This is a big weekend for WVU sports. The men’s basketball team plays its first game of the NCAA Tournament, the women’s basketball team plays its first NIT game and the baseball team plays its first home game of the season.Some of you may be reading this and realizing for the first time that the baseball team is playing games in Morgantown for the first time in 2018.
WVU fans should welcome a possible Marshall matchup
Marshall head coach Dan D'Antoni and players celebrate their Conference USA Men's Basketball Championship in Frisco, Texas, Saturday, March 10, 2018. Marshall defeated Western Kentucky 67-66. AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth It will take an upset, but West Virginia residents should hope it happens.The possibility is small, but WVU and Marshall could be meeting in the Round of 32 at the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. WVU and Marshall will both play first round games this coming weekend in San Diego.
WVU moves ahead to face Texas Tech in Big 12 semifinals
After defeating Baylor on Thursday night, the West Virginia University men’s basketball team advances to the semifinal round of the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City there they will face 14th-ranked Texas Tech.WVU topped Baylor 78-65 on Thursday despite a slow start. After shooting four-of-18 (22.2 percent) in the game’s opening 13:15, WVU shot (54.1 percent) the rest of the way.
Examining the impact of conference tournaments on NCAA seeding
College basketball’s regular season is finished. If your team was in the Big 10, then you are a week ahead of the rest of the country.Regardless, the bulk of teams are now heading into tournaments against their conference foes and are preparing for a difficult stretch that means winning, resting for a few hours and then preparing to win again.
How Carter and Miles revamped the WVU basketball program
Monday night, Daxter Miles Jr. and Jevon Carter played their final home games as members of the West Virginia men’s basketball team.They led the Mountaineers to one last win at the WVU Coliseum and hope to wrack up many more that take them on a pathway to San Antonio.
WVU Basketball Notebook: Texas Tech
Feb. 26, 2018: Guard Daxter Miles Jr. tries to steal the ball after Texas Tech was fouled. Caylie Silveira 1. Hot startWVU opened up Monday’s game on a roll, scoring the game’s first 16 points. After missing its first two shot attempts, both from three-point range, WVU made its next seven shots in a 2:55 span. Texas Tech struggled mightily without guard Keenan Evans, who did not play due to a toe injury.
WVU drops three of four in Brittain Resorts Invitational
During an arduous weekend of four games in three days, the West Virginia baseball team dropped three of four games.In the Brittain Resorts Invitational, the Mountaineers opened the weekend with 6-2 loss to WVU in 11 innings on Friday. WVU split its Saturday doubleheader, first with a 10-8 victory over Illinois during the day and then with an 8-5 loss to VCU in the nightcap. In the final game of the weekend, the Mountaineers fell to Coastal Carolina, 5-2.
WVU defeats depleted Iowa State, 85-70
Behind a historic night from Jevon Carter, the West Virginia men’s basketball team defeated Iowa State, 85-70, on Saturday night at the WVU Coliseum. Carter made college basketball history by collecting his 500th career assist on an Esa Ahmad three-pointer 4:01 into the game.
WVU set to battle Iowa State in second-to-last home game
In the penultimate home game of the 2017-2018 season, the West Virginia men’s basketball team will welcome Iowa State to the WVU Coliseum on Saturday night.Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be televised on ESPNU.No. 21 WVU (20-8, 9-6 Big 12) is looking to win back-to-back games for only the second time since Jan. 13. The Mountaineers are coming off a 71-60 win over Baylor on Tuesday night.
WVU in need of more offensive production
The West Virginia baseball team lost two of three games to Jacksonville last weekend. The Mountaineers scored a combined 10 runs across the series, including only scoring once in the final game.Entering the season-opening series, WVU head coach Randy Mazey talked favorably about his team, especially about his starting lineup."We have speed at the top and the bottom," Mazey said. "We have guys in the middle who can run the ball out of the yard.
WVU picks up 20th win of the season, defeats Baylor
Besides a brief scare in the second half, the West Virginia men’s basketball team toppled Baylor, 71-60, on Tuesday night in Waco, Texas. Senior Jevon Carter and junior Esa Ahmad led WVU (20-8, 9-6 Big 12) with 15 points apiece. Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. of Baylor (17-11, 7-8 Big 12) led all scorers with 16 points. Carter also finished with two assists, but could not get the elusive 500th assist of his career.
West Virginia looks for first win at Kansas
Feb. 12, 2018; Teddy Allen pulls up for a jump shot against TCU Colin Tracy The term ‘House of Horrors’ is a common phrase in professional sports, often referring to an area or stadium in which a visiting team struggles to win.There is not a better phrase to describe the Allen Fieldhouse for the West Virginia men’s basketball team.
Bench play lifts WVU past TCU
Behind 38 bench points, West Virginia defeated TCU 82-66 on Monday night at the WVU Coliseum to split the season series. Teddy Allen led WVU with 16 points while Beetle Bolden and Daxter Miles Jr. added 14 and 13 points, respectively. Vladimir Brodziansky led TCU with 16 points.WVU never trailed after a Bolden jumper gave the Mountaineers a 21-19 lead with 7:48 to go in the first half.
WVU moves on, looks to get back on track against TCU
On Monday, the West Virginia men’s basketball team gets a quick turnaround from Saturday’s loss to Oklahoma State when it hosts TCU. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum and will be televised on ESPN2.Saturday, the Mountaineers led for all but 12:21 – 5:01 of which the game was tied. Nonetheless, Lindy Waters hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 14.8 seconds to go in regulation.
WVU Basketball Notebook: Oklahoma State
West Virginia guard James Bolden (3) shoots while being defended by Oklahoma State guards Jeffrey Carroll (30) and Thomas Dziagwa, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, in Morgantown, W.Va. Oklahoma State defeated West Virginia 88-85. AP Photo/Raymond Thompson 1. Poor late-game managementWith 17.8 seconds remaining, WVU had a chance to tie or take the lead after Lindy Waters gave Oklahoma State a one-point lead with a corner three-pointer.
WVU seeks third straight win against Oklahoma State
The West Virginia men’s basketball team hopes to push its winning streak to three games when it hosts Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon.Tipoff at the WVU Coliseum is at noon and the game will be televised on ESPN.The Mountaineers haven’t played since Monday, when they defeated Oklahoma, but they will have a quick turnaround before playing again this Monday against TCU.
Is Jevon Carter being overplayed?
With five losses in their last seven games, WVU basketball isn’t just struggling, it’s stumbling down a hill that’s steep enough to strike fear into the heart of an Olympic skier.In the midst of Wednesday night’s loss to Iowa State, ESPN college basketball analyst and often WVU basketball complimenter Fran Fraschilla tweeted some of his observations of the Mountaineers.Your eyes are not lying. This is a very low energy @WVUhoops team right.
WVU shakes off slump, flu
The Mountaineers (17-6, 6-4 Big 12) overcame coughs and congestion to snap a season-worst three-game losing streak with an 89-51 victory over Kansas State (16-7, 5-5 Big 12) on Saturday at the WVU Coliseum.With six players being treated for the flu and several even making trips to the hospital to get IV’s, the Mountaineers weren’t in peak physical state heading into Saturday’s matchup. As losers of five of their past six games, they’re confidence also wasn’t in the best place.
WVU Basketball Notebook: Iowa State
West Virginia coach Bob Huggins watches from the bench during the second half of the teams NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 93-77. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall Ahmad bounces backAfter missing all 12 shots that he attempted in the last two games, junior forward Esa Ahmad bounced back to score 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting for his most efficient game of the season.
WVU looks to end two-game skid against Iowa State
After dropping four of its last five games, the No. 15-ranked West Virginia men’s basketball team heads onto the road to face Iowa State this Wednesday at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames.Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcasted on ESPNU.The bulk of WVU’s problems have come in the second half. In the last five games, WVU (16-5, 5-3 Big 12) is being outscored 210-180 in the second half. In their last four losses, the Mountaineers have shot 32.8 percent in the games’ final 20 minutes.
Poor second half dooms West Virginia in 83-76 loss to Kentucky
After his Mountaineers shot 11-34 and blew a 15-point halftime lead, WVU guard Jevon Carter was asked how to fix a stagnant second-half offense that has cost WVU its last three games.
Breaking down Ahmad's impact on WVU
Since junior forward Esa Ahmad returned from suspension on Jan. 13 against Texas Tech, the West Virginia men’s basketball team has lost three of its last four games.Prior to the end of Ahmad’s suspension, the Mountaineers were 15-1, and all 15 of those wins came after a double-digit loss to Texas A&M to openthe season. Understandably fans began to question whether or not Ahmad is part of the problem.
WVU Basketball Notebook: TCU
West Virginia guard Daxter Miles Jr. (4) dribbles the ball downcourt as TCU guard Alex Robinson (25) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Fort Worth, Texas, Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez Cold spell to end first half extends into second halfWith 4:12 remaining in the first half, WVU led TCU 31-24 following Lamont West’s second three-pointer. The Mountaineers were shooting 43.3 percent and had made half of their three-point attempts.
After big win, WVU prepares for road matchup against TCU
After snapping a two-game losing streak, the West Virginia men’s basketball team looks to build a new winning streak when it heads to Forth Worth, Texas, to take on TCU at 9 p.m. Monday.WVU (16-3, 5-2 Big 12) defeated Texas, 86-51, on Saturday at the WVU Coliseum to get back in the win column.
WVU Basketball Notebook: Texas
Jan. 20, 2018; Beetle Bolden during a dead ball situation against Texas Wren Downs Guards lead the wayJevon Carter (22 points), Beetle Bolden (19 points) and Daxter Miles Jr. (15 points) were WVU’s three highest scorers in the Mountaineers’ 86-51 victory over Texas on Saturday. The guards combined to score 65-percent of WVU’s points and shot a collective 51.3-percent (19-of-37) from the field. Bolden in particular stepped up big for the Mountaineers.
WVU seeks improvements offensively against Texas
Saturday afternoon, the No. 6-ranked West Virginia men’s basketball team looks to end a two-game losing streak when it hosts Texas at the WVU Coliseum at 2 p.m.While the Mountaineers are coming off their worst stretch of play so far this season, the Longhorns are coming off the biggest win of their season.
Norman's Notes: Not ready for No. 2 - Hampshire Review: Sports
Welcome to the first of many Norman’s Notes. Each week I’ll be updating you on the latest news and notes on the West Virginia University men’s basketball team. Before diving into what happened this past week, let me introduce myself. My name is Joel Norman, and I am a senior journalism student at WVU working towards minors in Sports Communication and History.
WVU collapses in second half again, drops second straight
For Kansas, the last four years visiting Morgantown were filled with heartbreak and frustration. Whether it was a Juwan Staten last second layup in 2015 or an 18-point loss a year ago, you wouldn’t discredit the Jayhawks if they said they had bad flashbacks when thinking about playing at the WVU Coliseum. Monday night, No. 10 Kansas (15-3, 5-1) avenged the losses of the last four years by rallying from as many as 16 points down to defeat No. 6 West Virginia (15-2, 4-2), 71-66.
Harler steps up for WVU during Baylor victory
During Tuesday night’s 57-54 victory over Baylor, West Virginia sophomore guard Chase Harler became a key contributor off the bench.He had seven points, threerebounds and two steals in the victory.Additionally, Harler’s 19 min-utes were second only to sophomore James "Beetle" Bolden (20) for players off the bench.For someone who himself said he didn’t expect to play much, it turned out to be a good night because he was ready if called upon."I was just kind of waiting for my time," Harler said.
WVU Basketball Notebook: Baylor
1. Hustle from HarlerSophomore guard Chase Harler has worked his way into more playing time through improved play and being one of four healthy guards on WVU’s roster. Tuesday, he was a favorite of head coach Bob Huggins off the bench, accumulating 19 minutes, his most in four Big 12 games.“I wasn’t expecting to play that many (minutes),” Harler said.
With No. 2 ranking, WVU prepares to face Baylor
After rising to its highest regular season ranking since 1959, the West Virginia men’s basketball team will play its first game as No. 2 this season when it welcomes Baylor to the WVU Coliseum Tuesday night.Following wins over Kansas State and then-No. 7 Oklahoma, the previously-No. 6 Mountaineers (14-1, 3-0 Big 12) moved up thanks to every team ahead of them, except Villanova, losing.
WVU needs to see more production from Carter
West Virginia guard Jevon Carter (2) drives up court as Coppin State guard Lamar Morgan defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday Dec. 20, 2017, in Morgantown, W.Va. AP Photo/Raymond Thompson There is no questioning that Jevon Carter is the West Virginia men’s basketball team’s best player.He is WVU’s best defender, facilitator and scorer. Carter came to Morgantown as a shooting guard and has turned himself into a point guard over time.
WVU set for big shift with impending return of Esa Ahmad
Mar. 18, 2017; Esa Ahmad shoots from beyond the arc during WVU's 83-71 win over Notre Dame in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Staff photo In college sports, schools cannot make in-season trades to fix their teams. For the large part, the team that starts the season is the one that ends it.However, the West Virginia men’s basketball team could potentially gain the affect of trading for outside help without actually doing so. Make no mistake, this is already a good team.
Allen puts up career numbers in WVU's 77-38 win over Coppin State
Behind a career game from Teddy Allen, the West Virginia men’s basketball team defeated Coppin State 77-38 on Wednesday night at the WVU Coliseum in the penultimate game before the start of Big 12 play. Allen grabbed career-highs in points (24) and rebounds (9) to lead WVU to its 10th straight win.The Mountaineers forced a season-high 28 turnovers and allowed an opponent-low 11 field goals.
Bench leads WVU to 98-50 exhibition win over Wheeling Jesuit
Behind heavy bench usage, the West Virginia men’s basketball team defeated Wheeling Jesuit, 98-50, in an exhibition game on Saturday afternoon at the WVU Coliseum. Four Mountaineers scored in double-figures with Teddy Allen leading the way with 19 points. Wesley Harris and Lamont West added 16 points apiece.Haywood Highsmith led Wheeling Jesuit with 22 points. Highsmith and Jeremiah Wilson (15 points) combined to score 74-percent of the Cardinals’ points. Close Dec.
Foul trouble is early concern for WVU
While Saturday’s game with Wheeling Jesuit State is only an exhibition, it serves as an opportunity for the West Virginia men’s basketball time to fine tune some areas of its game.One area that especially requires further examination and improvement is the number of fouls that the Mountaineers commit. This past Saturday against Pitt, WVU committed 25 fouls, which marked the seventh time that it has topped the 20-foul threshold this season.
WVU survives Pitt's second half run
PITTSBURGH, PA – Through 20 minutes, the game could not have been more in West Virginia’s favor. The first meeting on the hardwood in nearly five years for the WVU and Pitt men’s basketball teams was a one-sided affair. The crowd of 7,748 largely roared in favor of the Mountaineers as they led 45-27 after the opening 20 minutes. WVU held Pitt to five field goals on 22.7-percent shooting.In the second half, Pitt flipped the script.
Pitt needs Backyard Brawl more than WVU, at least in men's basketball
+1 Pittsburgh head coach Kevin Stallings watches as his team plays against High Point in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Pittsburgh.Pittsburgh won 71-63.
WVU Basketball Notebook: Virginia
1. Carter starts slow, finishes strongThe senior guard entered Tuesday’s matchup leading WVU with 19.0 points per game and coming off consecutive 20-point performances. Carter has stepped up and established himself as the team’s go-to scorer, but he struggled early against Virginia.Carter scored six points in the first half on 3-of-8 shooting and attempted some uncharacteristic shots for him. Several times he attempted fadeaway jumpers that were not high-quality shots and did not fall.
WVU welcomes Virginia for top-25 matchup
For the third time in as many years, the No. 18 West Virginia men’s basketball team will face No. 15 Virginia on the hardwood when they welcome the Cavaliers to the WVU Coliseum at 7 p.m. Tuesday night.After playing in New York two years ago and in Charlottesville last year, the Mountaineers and Cavaliers meet in Morgantown for the first time since WVU lost, 56-55, in the first round of the 1985 NIT.
WVU must improve three-point shooting
If not for a 23-6 run to conclude West Virginia’s 83-79 victory over Missouri on Sunday, then the Mountaineers would not be the 2017 AdvoCare Invitational Champions.If WVU continues to need late, dominant stretches to win games, then it could cost it in more important games.On Sunday, the first 35 minutes against Missouri were rough as the Mountaineers trailed 71-60.
WVU Basketball Notebook: NJIT
1. Allen puts forth career nightTeddy Allen continues to be an important contributor off the bench. He scored 16 points off the bench and opted for shots closer to the hoop than farther away. Five of his six made shots came on layups, dunks or runners just outside the lane.Allen did miss the only three-pointer that he attempted as well as a few jump shots. He admitted that he isn’t shooting the way that he would like.
WVU survives torrid rally by Marist 84-78
In their first bracketed game of the AdvoCare Invitation the No. 23 West Virginia men’s basketball team defeated Marist 84-78 on Thursday night at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Buena Vista, Florida. Jevon Carter led the Mountaineers with 18 points and four steals. Sagaba Konate recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Sagaba Konate showing potential on offense for Huggins
As a freshman at West Virginia last season, Sagaba Konate made his presence known on the men’s basketball team with his emphatic blocks.For a player that head coach Bob Huggins criticized as only reacting defensively last season, Konate reacted pretty well. He led the Mountaineers with 1.4 blocks per-game, the highest since Aaric Murray swatted away 1.4 shots per-game in 2012-13.Offensively, Konate showed potential, averaging 4.1 points per-game and finishing in double-figures three times.
Konate, Harler have career nights as No. 23 West Virginia beats Long Beach State 91-62
Behind unanticipated offensive heroes, the West Virginia men’s basketball team defeated Long Beach State 91-62 on Monday night at the WVU Coliseum. Lamont West led the Mountaineers with 22 points in their third consecutive victory. In a non-bracketed game of the AdvoCare Invitational, WVU (3-1) got career-high figures from Sagaba Konate, 20 points, and Chase Harler, 14 points.
West Virginia hosts Long Beach State on short rest
West Virginia's coach Bob Huggins reacts during a college basketball match of the Armed Forces Classic between Texas A&M Aggies and West Virginia Mountaineers on the US Air Base in Ramstein, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. AP Photo/Michael Probst After picking up their largest margin of victory in the last 10 years, the 24th-ranked WVU men’s basketball team looks to punish another non-conference foe in Long Beach State.The Mountaineers (2-1) return to action after only a day of rest.
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