MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — For a team hungry to make amends, Big Monday vs. Iowa State offers West Virginia a quick turn at redemption.
And for superstitious folks it could signal trouble.
The Mountaineers are 0-3 this season when appearing on ESPN, having lost to Virginia, Florida and Oklahoma by an average of nearly 16 points. What in the name of Fran Fraschilla is happening here?
More than streaks or coincidences, West Virginia (20-7, 9-5) is battling its own malaise of late. In back-to-back losses against Texas and Oklahoma, it trailed 57-39 in free-throw attempts, led for less than 15 of 80 minutes and—in the most depressing kicker—committed 25 turnovers and forced only 16.