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West Virginia vs. St. John's When: 2:30 p.m. today * Where: Madison Square Garden, New York * TV: (WCHS s Line: WVU by 21/2
dphickman1@aol.com
NEW YORK - The last time West Virginia stepped onto the floor at Madison Square Garden it was as the good guys. When the Mountaineers arrive there again today, they will be anything but beloved.
"We were a bit of a hometown favorite last time because of playing Boston College and then became a Cinderella story," West Virginia coach John Beilein said. "This will be very different. This will be a hostile environment."
Indeed, when No. 9 West Virginia (14-4, 5-0 Big East) meets St. John's (10-7, 3-3) at 2:30 p.m. today at the self-proclaimed "World's Most Famous Arena," the Mountaineers will be anything but favorites. The Garden is the Red Storm's home away from home, where St. John's plays most of its home games in front of its own New York fans.
The last time West Virginia was there, the Mountaineers were the adopted home team. It was the Big East tournament last March, where in the second round WVU vanquished Big East defector Boston College to the delight of the crowd, then rode a wave of enthusiasm to the tournament championship game.
And while it will be nice to get back to the place where West Virginia's magical postseason run began, everyone knows...