Win or lose, we are together
The No. 4 West Virginia University basketball team will take the court at 7:39 p.m. tonight at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, in a Sweet 16 match-up against top-seeded Gonzaga.
Going into this year’s NCAA tournament, analysts and fans alike knew West Virginia had a good ball team. Even one of Hollywood’s elite — Bryan Cranston of “Breaking Bad” fame — is on the WVU bandwagon, picking the Mountaineers to win the tournament.
Head coach Bob Huggins, indeed, has the men in blue and gold prepared for tonight’s challenge and hopes are high for a win and a trip to the Elite 8.
All that said, making it this far in the tournament — while no surprise — is something every West Virginia should take pride in.
West Virginia’s athletic teams have always conducted themselves well in the national spotlight, shining a positive light on our great state.
From border to border — and here in Central West Virginia — residents will take a break from the daily hustle and bustle of life to root for the home team tonight.
To be sure, Gonzaga won’t be a pushover. They will challenge WVU from buzzer to buzzer and give the Mountaineers everything they can handle.
Whatever the outcome — win or lose — this state has much to be proud of when it comes to athletics and West Virginia University. The team and coaching staff have worked hard this season — going 28-8 thus far — but the battle isn’t over. Another push tonight will take the team to another level, one seldom achieved in WVU sports.
No matter the level — middle school, high school or college — this state truly does have the best fans in the country. Without that support, and the hopes, dreams and hard work of the players, we certainly wouldn’t be where we are now.