Notes from the Previous Matchup vs. West Virginia: In a Big 12 play part of the season filled with heartbreaking losses, this loss is maybe the most frustrating loss of Big 12 play. Coming off a win against Central Florida, this was supposed to be where the Bearcats started stacking some wins to stay in the middle of the standings. Up 10 with 6:29 to go, it was looking promising. But then the Bearcats missed seven threes down the stretch, allowing the Mountaineers to come back and close out the game with a 69-65 win. It was a disappointing Quad 3 loss, and it cost the Bearcats a chance to get back to .500 in Big 12 play and win consecutive games in Big 12 play. The latter is something the Bearcats will not achieve at least in the regular season. Even though the Bearcats bounced back three days later with a win at then No. 15 Texas Tech, them not being able to close out this game, I think looking back on it, was largely due to them being exhausted from the six-game gauntlet to start Big 12 play. The first six games were so mentally taxing, perhaps, and such a brutal welcome to the Big 12 that it wore the Bearcats down enough to where it had an impact on them closing out games the rest of the way. Plus, losing four games in those first six games and in the fashion in which they did I think made them panic when West Virginia started to cut into their 10-point lead. And that panic would surface again against other teams the Bearcats blew double-digit leads to.
Keys to Saturday Afternoon’s Game
1. Forget about everything that’s happened up to this point. Play in the present. Every game is still important. Even though the Bearcats are probably going to have to win the Big 12 Tournament to get into the NCAA Tournament, every win helps make that more attainable. This is an important game. It’s the final game of the regular season and it’s Senior Day.
2. Shot Selection: West Virginia allows teams to shoot a high percentage from the field. But teams have to be smart about shooting the basketball. Taking good shots is paramount. Making those good shots stresses West Virginia’s struggling defense, they’re last in the Big 12 allowing a tick under 76 points per game, and will put them behind big early. Missing those shots keeps them in the game, which is exactly how the first game between the Bearcats and Mountaineers went.
3. Be Aggressive: This is true for many reasons Saturday afternoon. It’s Senior Day, it’s the last game of the regular season, the Bearcats are playing for seeding and they’re playing a team that they should beat at home. Don’t let West Virginia hang around. Get out to an early lead, like the Bearcats did at Oklahoma Tuesday, and this time finish the job. It’s best to enter the Big 12 Tournament with a win.
