Analysts often look at the final score of a basketball game and they say that the game was closer than the final score indicates. Tonight, that was not the case. The West Virginia Mountaineers thoroughly dominated the Providence Friars in virtually every possible way during their 88-74 triumph.

From start to finish, the outcome of the game was never in doubt. West Virginia got out to an astounding 23-4 lead, as Providence decided to combine horrendous field goal shooting with horrendous defense. West Virginia Coach Bob Huggins even said that he had, “no idea what the hell they were doing” on the defensive end. Additionally, the four-guard line-up that Coach Keno Davis decided to start was completely destroyed on the boards by West Virginia’s tall, four-forward line-up, getting outrebounded by 20.

Devin Ebanks, in particular, frustrated Providence. Davis described his play saying, “His length causes match-up problems for every team.” In addition, his offense provided a spark for the Mountaineers. He managed six rebounds and added thirteen points, just in the first half of play, and he finished with 21 points and seven rebounds.

Three other Mountaineers scored in double figures, including Da’Sean Butler and Wellington Smith putting up 16 points a piece.

The second half looked to provide some hope for the friars. Jamine Peterson quickly drained a three, and Duke Mondy followed with five consecutive points. After Peterson got a putback on an offensive rebound and Vincent Council put in two more points, Providence had narrowed the lead to six.

That was the closest it would get, though. West Virginia picked up the defensive pressure and once again found its shooting touch on the offensive end. Little-used forward Deniz Kilicli provided some important offense, scoring six points, including two sweet jump hooks. In short, the West Virginia Mountaineers proved to all in attendance just why they are considered one of the best teams in the country and one of the few teams that might contend for a national title.

Providence may have had a reason for its subpar play. According to Davis, many of his team’s stars were sick for all or part of this week. Looking at Sharaud Curry’s 0-10 shooting night, that point may be an important one.

This loss extends Providence’s losing streak to six games, although it is tough to blame them. They have faced four ranked teams in that six-game stretch, and they have two more to contend with in Pittsburgh in Syracuse. Keno Davis summed up their quest for success when he asked a group of reporters, “Any suggestions for me?”

Coach Bob Huggins was pleased with the win, even though he said that his team lacked the killer instinct to close out the game. However, when it came to future NBA Draft Pick Ebanks, he had only good things to say. “Devin gives other teams fits,” he said. Coach Davis agreed with that sentiment: “We just couldn’t match up with him.”

- Lex Rofes