Ebanks is as good as gone people. Everytime anything is mentioned about it by anyone who has any real idea it leans toward he is gone. People keep talking about how he needs to "Develope his offensive game" and "get another year of growth under his belt with huggs" What nobody mentions is he has a chance to make a living doing what he loves right now. That he could come out next year and break his leg in the first 5 minutes of the firt practice and that would probably end his chances of ever playing in the NBA. If he had any doubts about whether or not he was coming back I would say they were put to rest while he watched Da laying on the court writhing in pain. He will not return to the Mounaineers next year in my opinion anyways and I cant say that I blame him. We will be fine without him in Huggs I trust.

Overall some of the most respectful, knowledgable, loyal fans I have come across. Both people I have spoken with in person and on various message boards this past week. I have first of all not seen or heard any rude and degrading comments toward our state, coaches or university. They also know their basketball their own team as well as ours and college basketball in general. I have read some very good write ups on Duke message boards about our team and what it is going to take for the blue devils to win on saturday. The consensus seems to be they give us alot of respect and realize the match up problems we create for them and any other team in the country.

I just thought it needed to be said at least from my experience this has been a surprisingly enjoyable week in interacting with the Duke faithful. Alot of the hate I have had for Duke has dissapeared and its because of the awesome interaction I have had with their fans this week. Im sorry your season has to end Saturday and wish you all luck making it back here next year as long as you are not in our region. :-P

Before you get all well I was at _______ and some guy with a duke hat said WVU was _________ and this state is full of _______. Or post links to some topic saying some of the things I said I havent heard this week. I realize that everyone has the bad eggs but just from my personal experience its been a good experience. I think our fans in West Virginia are the best fanbase for college athletics in the country barnone. I love that people are scared to play at mountaineer field. I love that during country roads and simple gifts just to name a few there is barely a dry eye in the house. I love the passion we have even if sometimes we go too far according to some. What they have at Duke is something to be proud of too. They may do things differently than us but they love their basketball, support their team and they know their stuff. Stay classy Durham.

So this post was mainly brought on by the fact that I played pool and talked hoops with a Duke fan and his girlfriend for about 3 hours tonight. He bought me no less than 4 Yuenglings and sang the praises of Huggs and the heart that our team has. Hard not to like that guy.

Looking forward to a great game tommorrow and history in the making for WVU. Apologize for rambling on so long Im kind of a longwinded drunk. My prediction Butler takes over the game in the 2nd half and drops 25 on the dookies. We win a hard fought battle 74-69 and couches burn in Morgantown.

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOO!!..

I think we see Huggy ball at its best in this game. Wont see as much 1-3-1 or any zone in general. Lots of hard nose man-to-man and grind it out basketball. We will guard the perimeter probably better than anything Duke has seen all year and they will get worn down by the motion ofense in the 2nd half no matter how deep their bench is. It's another tough different kind of test for us but I wouldnt have it any other way. We can win this game going away and I see us being the favorite by tip off.

Duke for me but not because I think we need to prove anything by beating the mighty Blue Devils. Only because I hink we match up better with them and Baylor has and does look like the better team.

Yeah I am rewatching it again also. Sucks since I watched the game at the track and same issue there. They have the old floor model big screens in th back and for some reason they are ahead of the sound and other tvs. Always end up having to go watch it back there because if you dont you hear cheering before shots go in.

Prediction for final scores?

Im going WVU 76 UK 75 1 OT in the best game of the tournament on a buzzer beater. The Butler will do it!!

It's funny everyone talks about we get no respect from ESPN/media in general. When in reality some of the biggest haters in basketball and football are wearing blue and gold today like they believed all along.

I said after we won the big east tournament there would be no way I could be dissapointed in this season no matter what happens in the tourny. Well a trip to the elite 8 just makes it all the more special. I get the feeling the winner of this game wins it all. I think we will have alot of neutral fans on our side by the 2nd half. It is gonna be a tough game and one of the biggest in the history of our basketball program. Win or lose its a great day to be a Mountaineer.

LETS GOOOOOOOOO

"Don't forget the feeling you had on the night of January 2, 2008 either. We will never leave you."

This moment more than any other, at least to me, really showed what this university and this state is all about. Defining moment in the history of WVU. I cried like a baby and I am not afraid to admit it. Tonight .. well tonight will be different. Tonight I watch the game and get smashed with a lifelong UK fan that admitted to me he would rather be playing any other team in the tournament tonight other than us. Tonight he is the one he will be crying and they will not be tears of joy.

Great post. This win will definitely be one to remember. I'm very much nervousing over this one. It's not gonna be easy.