WVU’s Path to Success : Rasual’s Unprofessional Opinion
With the NCAA Tournament drawing near, the West Virginia Mountaineers are poised to earn a berth in the Big Dance. According to ole Lunardi over at ESPN, the good guys are currently ranked as a No. 9 seed, matched up against the Memphis Tigers (No. 8). Meanwhile, CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm has WVU as a No. 10 seed, facing Illinois (No. 7). At first glance, a higher seed may seem better—especially to the Mountaineer faithful creeping around on Facebook (IYKYK). But according to history, a No. 10 seed may actually provide a more straightforward route to a headline reading “WORLD CHAMPION MOUNTAINEERS!”
Let papa Rasul break it down for ya…
Over the years, No. 8 and No. 9 seeds have battled to an almost even split in the first round, with the matchup typically considered a coin flip. In reality, this means WVU could just as easily win as they could lose. The real issue isn’t the first round, but what comes after: almost always an overpowered No. 1 seed that we simply do not want to face.
On the flip side, No. 10 seeds have a less inspiring overall record against No. 7 seeds, but this is far from an impossible task for the Mountaineers. Let’s assume Javon Small channels his inner 2011 Kemba Walker to push us to the second round. (And let’s be honest, he will.) From there, we’re most likely on track to play a No. 2 seed instead of a No. 1. In Rasul’s unprofessional opinion, this could be an absolute game-changer. While still elite, No. 2 seeds aren’t at the very top of the bracket for a reason. I know there are plenty of factors influencing these March Madness games, but if a slightly inconsistent team has cracks, then by God, those cracks can absolutely be exposed in the heat of this tournament—especially while Sencire Harris wears the skin of the opposing team’s biggest offensive threat.
So yes, the WVU fanbase should hope we land as a 10 seed.
While this is still a tough path, it’s been the stage for multiple Cinderella runs. However, there’s one thing those previous teams did not have, and that is Javon F’ing Small.
If WVU does secure that ideal No. 10 seed, it’s worth circling back to discuss our potential first-round matchup against the Fighting Illini. Do I want to play Illinois? ABSOLUTELY. I’ve followed this fraudulent team on and off for most of the season, and I can assure you they’re not the same team they were one year ago. I’ve seen this squad lose to USC, Nebraska, and Rutgers in about a one-month span. They are overrated frauds, and I can almost guarantee you they won’t take Javon Small’s preparation as seriously as a familiar Big 12 team. In addition to Small, I’d bet my entire bank account this is a game Amani Hansberry and Sencire Harris would die to play in. It has revenge written all over it...
Written by : @RasulBurner on ‘X’
