Janice R. Andrews
One recurring foe has plagued West Virginia’s basketball team as they have progressed through the Big 12 Conference: turnovers. The Mountaineers recently had a difficult task made more difficult by their inability to guard the ball, and as a result, they let up a season-high 23 turnovers against Iowa State. The results were severe: the Cyclones scored 29 points in response to these mistakes, which tipped the scales in a closely contested 71-64 loss.
In a game when most departments had statistical parity, the tsunami of turnovers was too much to overcome. Iowa State took advantage of the possibilities that were presented to them by virtue of West Virginia’s errors. The discrepancy in turnovers was evident as the Cyclones had 14 more opportunities to make shots during the game, increasing the pressure on the visiting Mountaineers.
Although Iowa State’s defense is known for its unwavering ferocity, Josh Eilert, the head coach of West Virginia, bemoaned his team’s incapacity to withstand the storm. “I didn’t think we did a good job in that regard,” said Eilert, emphasizing the crucial ability his squad lacked in their performance. “Part of toughness is being able to face adversity and face that ball pressure,” he said.
While acknowledging that it would be challenging to replicate Iowa State’s defensive strength in the practice setting, Eilert emphasized the need of correcting the unintentional mistakes that beset his squad. Turnovers have been a constant thorn in the Mountaineers’ side this season, even though they are aware of the pressure that awaits them on the court. Before their most recent victory over UCF, opponents capitalized on these mistakes to the tune of 75 points.
Their road fortunes are unlikely to alter unless West Virginia shows that it can handle pressure and protect possession. “We kind of lost our poise in some situations and didn’t take care of the ball, which led to the end result,” bemoaned Eilert, summarizing their troubles.
The Mountaineers, who have a miserable 0-11 record away from home this season, are in a difficult situation as they get ready to play Kansas State. It is obvious that they must overcome their tendency to cause their own failures. The struggle West Virginia has had with turnovers is a recurrent storyline that might define their campaign as the season draws to a close.
To sum up, the basketball journey of West Virginia is evidence of the persistent difficulty presented by turnovers. Even while hardship is a natural part of the game, how well the Mountaineers handle these challenges will ultimately decide their outcome in the harsh Big 12 Conference. In the face of constant pressure from collegiate basketball, West Virginia bears the responsibility of facing their demons and creating a route to atonement as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
