Chip Shots

In or out?

This is the time of year we regularly hear the words bracketology and breacketologist. Bracketology is the act of projecting the NCAA field of 64. Of course a bracketologist would be the person doing such projections. As it stands now, West Virginia University's Mens Basketball Team would seem to be all set for the field of 64. The Mountaineers are 21-10 with a 10-8 record in the rugged Big East Basketball Conference. West Virginia appears on virtually all the bracketologist's list. At least the major ones.

Does that mean the Mountaineers are in win or lose this Wednesday?

The answer is probably yes, but a loss to either Rutgers or Notre Dame in the second round of the Big East Basketball Tournament Wednesday night could be reason to be nervous. West Virginia's RPI has dropped from the mid teens 10 days ago to 26 as of Monday. Another loss without a win could drop the Mountaineers even further. Now, the RPI is just one component the selection committee uses when selecting at large teams for the field, but it was one of the Mountaineers' strongest cases to make the field two weeks ago.

A one and done will not likely put WVU on the bubble, but a win could enhance their tournament seeding and set any doubt aside.

The Mountaineers let a huge feather in its cap get away from them Saturday night against Louisville. The crowd was at a fever pitch with the ESPN Game Day crew on hand and it was senior night. Alex Ruoff, West Virginia's lone senior, had a forgettable night.

Louisville's tenacious defense held Ruoff scoreless, forced him into six turnovers and had him in foul trouble all night. West Virginia will need Ruoff to perform at a much higher level to play many more games in March. Mountaineer fans can look forward to more inspired play from freshmen Devin Ebanks and Kevin Jones. Those two freshmen led a charge for WVU which kept the Mountaineers within striking distance of the Cardinals. The upside of these two players is very promising.