Tonight’s game against the Providence Friars will be on the line for two reasons. One, if you read my blog from yesterday you’ll know that WVU will have to be at least .500 in their final six road outings to have a shot at the Big Dance. If the Eers lose to the Friars tonight then, number two, we’ll be looking toward the anxiety-ridden “Big East Tournament Bubble Watch”. Believe me that’s not what any Mountaineer fan would like to see. If we end up not making it to Madison Square Garden on the second week of March then it’s likely there will be no postseason tournament AT ALL! So the make or break 10-game stretch will begin tonight at 7 and it will be televised on ESPN PLUS.

The Mountaineers are 2-5 lifetime at the Dunkin Donuts Center (MMMMMMMMM Donuts). One of those wins occurred three seasons ago, in 2005, when the Mountaineers were stumbling hard after a 10-0 start. Heading into this game they were on a five-game losing streak. In the first half WVU jumped out to a double-digit lead and held on for a four-point win. From there they went 14-5 the rest of the way to go on a magical run to the Elite Eight. If the Mountaineers win tonight this season could get right back on track the way that season did.

The two teams faced each other twice last season. The first meeting they lost a tough one at Providence by the score of 64-61. The rematch was held at MSG as they squared off in the 1st round of the Big East Tournament. In that game the Mountaineers made a Big East Tournament record 17 3’s to defeat the Friars 92-79.

One Friar they must control heavily on is Weyinmi Efejuku. He scored a combined 43 points in the two meetings with the Mounties. Da’Sean Butler is recognized as the team’s best defender and must stick to him all night for WVU to have a chance. Of course controlling the frontcourt is another matter. Providence has solid beef in junior Geoff McDermott. The 6-8 235 wide-body averages 11 points with 8.5 rebounds a game. Believe it or not he leads the team with almost 5 assists a game. It appears teams are trying to double-team him on the post. When that happens he kicks the ball out to sharp-shooting sophomores Dwain Williams and Brian McKenzie. Williams scored 21 points in their last meeting with the Eers. The team averages eight treys a game with a shooting percentage of 37 percent.

The Mountaineers Joe Mazzulla will be heading back to his hometown of Providence. Hopefully he’ll be able to shine in front of his hometown crowd. The flu-bug they’ve encountered should be over with and the Eers can once again play some solid ball. Keep in mind though that Providence are a different team home and away. Their home record is a stellar 8-1 with a loss to Seton Hall in their last home game. The Friars have lost three in a row and if the Eers could kick them while they’re down they may find themselves not going to New York.

Again I point out that this game has huge implications as to where the season is headed. A downward spiral is imminent for the loser of this game. Coach Huggs will do whatever it takes to prevent that but it’s ultimately up to the players to determine the fate of the season. This is gut-check time for the Eers and they must come out of the gate swinging or it’s gonna be another long and painful team. Let’s win one for the road and GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MOUNTAINEERS!