Preview: PC vs. West Virginia
WEST VIRGINIA Ht. PPG RPG
Darris Nichols 6-2 10.7 2.7
Alex Ruoff 6-6 10.0 3.3
Rob Summers 7-0 4.5 4.5
Joe Alexander 6-8 11.8 4.7
Frank Young 6-5 13.7 4.3
Key reserves:
Da'Sean Butler 6-7 9.9 3.6
Jamie Smalligan 7-0 4.9 2.7
Joe Mazzulla 6-2 2.9 0.9
PC
Sharaud Curry 5-10 16.0 2.9
Weyinmi Efejuku 6-5 13.4 4.3
Herbert Hill 6-10 18.0 8.6
Geoff McDermott 6-7 10.0 9.3
Jon Kale 6-8 7.1 4.2
Key Reserves
Dwain Williams 6-0 6.8 0.7
Ray Hall 6-11 2.5 1.9
Brian McKenzie 6-5 3.5 1.7
THE SCOUTING REPORT
WEST VIRGINIA (21-8, 9-7 Big East): The Mountaineers head to New York very close to an NCAA bid but almost certainly need to win to remain in the mix. . . Finished season with a win over Cincinnati but did close the regular seasons with losses in three of the final five games. Lost at PC on Feb. 20, 64-61. Horrid 3-point shooting (9-of-41) led to that defeat. . . Have an RPI of 57 and own a non-league win over UCLA. Weak overall schedule has hurt a bit. . . Young was a first-team all-Big East pick and led the league in 3-pointers made. Coach John Beilein likes ot play four 3-point shooters at once, if possible. . . Big men Summers and Smalligan aren't rebounders. PC beat WVU off the glass, 41-33.
PROVIDENCE (18-11, 8-8 Big East): The Friars return to the Big East Tournament after a one-year absence. Haven't won a tourney game since 2003 and own a 15-25 record all-time in the event. . . Captured the 1994 tournament title. Hold a 2-1 edge over West Virginia in New York. The winner will play second-seeded Louisville Thursday night. . . PC ended the regular season 16-3 at home, 2-8 on the road. . . Hill led the Big East in scoring and was second in rebounding. He was a first team all-league pick. He averaged 27.5 points, 11 rebounds, 6 blocks and shot 66 percent in two games last week. . . Curry has a dislocated pinky finger on his left (non-shooting) hand. . . McDermott is 1-of-15 in the last three games and didn't score a field goal in the final two contests.
