West Virginia player promises to end Kentucky’s perfect run

By Evan Massey | Mar 25, 2015

Mar 20, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins reacts during the first half against the Buffalo Bulls in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

West Virginia freshman Daxter Miles Jr. promised that the Mountaineers would end the Kentucky Wildcats’ perfect season in their Sweet Sixteen matchup.

March Madness is one of the more entertaining times in the wide world of sports, but there isn’t a lot of smack talk that is done to the media. That has changed in a big way this year, as West Virginia Mountaineers freshman Daxter Miles Jr. guaranteed a victory over the undefeated Kentucky Wildcats in their Sweet Sixteen matchup.

West Virginia’s Daxter Miles Jr. on UK: “I give them them their props. Salute them to getting to 36-0. But tomorrow they’re gonna be 36-1.”
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) March 25, 2015

For emphasis, Miles repeated it: “They’re gonna be 36-1.”
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) March 25, 2015

Obviously confidence is a good thing when an underdog is facing a team like Kentucky, but vocalizing it like this may not be his best option. Kentucky is currently 36-0 on the season as the quote clearly states, and they are by far the favorites to end up winning the National Championship this season. They have quite a few players who are considered to be future first-round NBA draft picks.

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That being said, West Virginia is a very well coached team with Bob Huggins leading the way. They are a very strong defensive team and have quite a few players who are capable of putting up numbers on the offensive side of the court as well.

Miles played a fairly large role with the Mountaineers this season, averaging 7.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. In his first two tournament games this season, he has scored 10 and 12 points respectively in their two victories. It will be interesting to see whether or not he can personally back up the comments that he made to the media and put up big numbers against the Wildcats on Thursday night.

West Virginia is going to have a difficult time matching up with the size that Kentucky has. John Calipari has three dominant players that are 6’10” or taller, and he has another seven-footer at his disposal as well. The Mountaineers have just one player on their roster that is 6’10” or taller.

Obviously the Mountaineers are going to have to figure out a way to keep the ball out of the deep post. They pressure teams very well defensively, and will have to do that in a big way against Kentucky. One thing that West Virginia has to hope for is the young players on Kentucky’s roster to get flustered when they are pressured like the Mountaineers are capable of.

When everything is said and done, the Mountaineers are facing a very difficult challenge. Confidence is great, but Miles gave Calipari and the Wildcats even more material to motivate themselves to remain perfect.

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