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West Virginia basketball: gut reactions from the loss at Arkansas

By Christopher Mangum

Jan 22, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins reacts in the second half during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins reacts in the second half during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Gut reaction three: no team can win by shooting this poorly

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 18: Sean McNeil #22 of the West Virginia Mountaineers takes a shot over Torrence Watson #5 of the Elon Phoenix in the first half during the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic college basketball tournament at the TD Arena on November 18, 2021 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 18: Sean McNeil #22 of the West Virginia Mountaineers takes a shot over Torrence Watson #5 of the Elon Phoenix in the first half during the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic college basketball tournament at the TD Arena on November 18, 2021 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

By the end of the first half, the Mountaineers trailed by a score of 38-29 and shot wildly inefficient numbers from the floor. After one half of basketball, West Virginia shot 34.4 percent from the field and just over 50 percent on free throws. Additionally, the Mountaineers attempted 12 three-pointers and only connected on two of those, totaling around 16 percent from beyond the ark.

The game did not improve much in the second half for the Mountaineers as they still found themselves in a team-wide slump. In the second half, West Virginia shot 38.3 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from the free throw line.

The scarce passing attempts factor into the poor shots; however, much of this falls on the lack of fundamentals. The Mountaineers repeatedly took shots while fading away, in traffic, etc.

Missing these short-range jumpers, open threes, layups, and more will kill any team’s shot at a victory. The case was no different here as the Mountaineers extended their losing streak to five games; and will now look to defeat No. 4 Baylor on the road this coming Monday.

A six game losing streak heading into one of the toughest stretches on West Virginia’s schedule would be detrimental to the Mountaineers’ season.

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