LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
Rick Santorum's Wife Sued Doctor For $500,000 In 1999
West Virginia really needed a signature win. The Mountaineers had one quality win over Ohio State earlier in the year but, aside from that, the best they could claim was a win over Georgetown back when the Hoyas were still ranked. They finally got another marquee victory with a blowout of Villanova 93-72.West Virginia had lost three of four, with all three losses coming on the road. It had been swept and embarrassed by Pitt earlier in the week. The Mountaineers were facing a team that had won six straight including wins over Pitt, Syracuse and Marquette -- they knew they really needed a win, and played like it.
Da'Sean Butler completely dominated the game. After playing only limited minutes in West Virginia's last game because of foul trouble and being held to only four points, he more than compensated. Butler scored a career-high 43 points against Villanova, and helped bust the game open in the first half.
The Mountaineers handled the Wildcats' trapping and ball pressure. They made extra passes and found room to attack the basket. It prevented Villanova from double-teaming and positioning themselves to take charges in the lane.
Villanova, which had great success attacking teams in its win streak and getting the opponents in foul trouble, got a taste of their own medicine. Dante Cunningham found himself sitting on the bench for most of the first half when he picked up two quick fouls. That opened things up inside for West Virginia to cut to the basket, and it removed a vital part of the Villanova offense.
Villanova had no inside presence to put the ball inside in the fist half, and that left no chance to kick it out. It meant that Villanova was forced out on the perimeter or to simply drive to the basket.
In the second half, both Reggie Redding and Scottie Reynolds fouled out, and both did so on frustration fouls after making mistakes. Redding was beat on a cut to the basket and simply hacked. Reynolds had a turnover and tried to get it back on the other end.
This game really helps West Virginia with their NCAA Tournament resume. It gives the Mountaineers a second win over a team in the RPI top-25. Their schedule gets a little easier, so they should be able to finish the Big East schedule with a winning record.
Congress Agrees On Payroll Tax Cut, Unemployment Extension
House Dems Walk Out Of Birth Control Hearing
Most Inmates In Honduras Prison Fire Were Not Convicted
'Colbert Report' Abruptly Suspends Production For The Week
WATCH: Fox News Host Makes Shocking Comment About Black Rep.
Scott Brown: Elizabeth Warren Has Assumed The 'Mantle Of Oppressor'
Apple Lifts The Veil On Gorgeous New OS X
Allen West Accuses Dems Of Pursuing 'Insidious Form Of Slavery'
WATCH: CNN Contributor Compares Sarah Palin To Snooki
RECOVERING THE RECOVERY: A Good Sign For American Jobs
Steel Beams Crash 40 Stories At WTC Construction Site
Oklahoma Senate Approves 'Personhood' Bill
Local Fishers Deliver Invasive Potomac River Menace To Legendary Manhattan Eatery
Waters: Boehner And Cantor Are 'Demons'
SEC Official: Common Wall St. Conversations Carry 'Troubling' Potential For Abuse
Relintless: Knicks Run Winning Streak To Seven Games
Kennedy Launches Campaign
Source: Michigan Governor To Endorse Romney
A Tale Of Dual Tracking: Trying To Modify A Loan As Bank Forecloses
National Group Seeks To Shape Walker Recall Contest
Jimmy Carter Casts Movement As 'Relatively Successful'
Over 1,000 Old Detroit Rape Kits To Be Tested
Actress In Controversial China Political Ad Apologizes
