3 Guys Before The Game

Well, look who's back! Hoppy Kercheval returns for episode 105 as the fellas make the transition from basketball to football. It's a fact-filled episode that breaks down historical data surrounding first year WVU football coaches, Neal Brown's prediction of greatness, and expectation readjustment for the coming season. The guys also discuss an email from George in Hong Kong - a Mountaineer who jus...

In a span of 40 minutes, the most unique season in the history of WVU basketball came to a record setting ending. A team ranked 13th in the preseason polls finished with the most losses in school history. The dream of a late-season resurrection and CBI championship ended instead with a record setting defeat. The Mountaineers 109-91 loss to Coastal Carolina established a new record for most points...

It's on to the quarterfinals of the CBI for the Mountaineer basketball team. Wednesday's 77-63 victory over Grand Canyon University advances WVU into a Monday home game against the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina. Once again, WVU's youth movement was on full display with first-year players accounting for 66 percent of the total points. What's a Chanticleer? The fellas (Brad Howe, Nathan Adrian an...

What do Kansas City, Antelopes, and motivational speeches have in common? They're all part of the discussion on episode 102 of Three Guys Before The Game. Brad Howe, Nathan Adrian, and Tony Caridi wrap up WVU's semifinal appearance in the Big 12 tournament and look ahead to Wednesday's home date against the visiting Antelopes of Grand Canyon in the opening round of the College Basketball Invitatio...

You would never imagine that following a 13 win team could be so much fun. However, the reconstituted Mountaineer basketball team continues raise eyebrows not only in West Virginia but also in Kansas City. The Mountaineers 72-71 victory over Oklahoma in Wednesday's opening round continues to build the late season narrative that less is more when it comes to WVU. A team that won two games in 57 day...

It's a special episode of Three Guys Before The Game - Let Them Eat Cake. The 100th show features a review of the Mountaineers regular season finale, a preview of the Big 12 Championship, a debate on the league's postseason awards - the dissing of Derek Culver, and the most tasty assortment of food treats the guys could have ever imagined. Regardless of what happens in Kansas City the Mountaineers...

Like a time lapse video showing a flower blossom, the Mountaineer basketball team continues to transform before our eyes.  Wednesday's 90-75 win over Iowa State created a 40-point swing from the first meeting when WVU fell in Ames 93-68 on January 30th. How and why has a WVU team become more productive and efficient as its roster has gotten smaller?  The most recent departure is junior James "Beet...

A step backward against the Sooners leads to defeat, but positives continue to sprout. Jordan McCabe earns Newcomer of the Week honors from the Big 12 after his record setting week. The Mountaineer youth movement is in full force. First year players recorded 162 of a possible 200 minutes at Oklahoma. With two games remaining, how will the Mountaineer basketball team close the final week of the reg...

In formal terms it's called relationship dissolution, a less formal explanation would be addition through subtraction. In an attempt to improve the efficiency of an organization or team, you must take something away. West Virginia's basketball team is becoming a case study that productivity does improve by subtraction. Over the last three games, WVU's pared roster has been outscored by an average...

With four regular season games to play, the undermanned Mountaineers may have reached a unity they've lacked all season. Will recent performances against Kansas State and Baylor translate to victories? Just how bad have injuries and disciplinary issues hampered Big 12 schools this season? The fellas provide a complete audit. Guess which school has been impacted the most? The episode closes with an...

What do Nathan Adrian and Zion Williamson have in common? They've both blown out sneakers in nationally televised games. Nate's took place in the Big 12 Conference tournament. The fellas discuss shoes and Baylor's surprising season on the 95th episode of Three Guys. Just how did Baylor go from being picked 9th in the preseason polls to contending for the conference title? Those topics and more as...

Improved effort but anemic shooting spelled defeat for WVU against Kansas State. The Wildcats, currently rated fourth nationally in scoring defense, limited the Mountaineers to just 51 points. However, WVU did play with the effort that coach Bob Huggins has been demanding. Nathan Adrian, Brad Howe and Tony Caridi share their thoughts on the Big Monday encounter. The guys spend considerable time on...

What will happen to the West Virginia University basketball team following the dismissal of senior Esa Ahmad and junior Wes Harris? Will the Mountaineers be energized or demoralized by the departures? What does history tells us when it comes to fixing WVU's current woes? Just how long will it take? Brad Howe, Nathan Adrian and Tony Caridi answer those questions and much more on episode 93 of Three...

Bob Huggins was shaken and embarrassed by the Mountaineers performance against Texas. Was Saturday's game the "rock bottom" moment of a surprisingly disappointing season? With seven regular season games to play, could it get worse? The fellas breakdown the beatdown by the Longhorns and answer listener questions on the 92nd episode of Three Guys Before The Game. In a Three Guys first, the fellas al...

Player retention is among the hottest topic on the 91st episode of Three Guys Before The Game. Former Mountaineer Nathan Adrian is direct and to the point on what the WVU basketball roster should look like a year from now. Plus, a surprising anniversary is revealed involving coach Bob Huggins. Has it really been 40 years since the punch or was it an elbow? Texas comes to town Saturday. Will anyone...

The flicker of hope from Saturday's win over Oklahoma was extinguished in record setting proportion on Monday night in Lubbock, Texas. WVU's 81-50 loss to Texas Tech established a modern day record of futility. The last time the Mountaineers made nine field goals in a game was a 30-22 loss to Duquesne in 1942. That's not the only mark that was set. Freshman Derek Culver's 24 free throw attempts ar...

A frigid trip to Iowa has left the Mountaineers frozen solid. WVU's lopsided loss at Iowa State is the third consecutive road defeat by 17 or more points. The Mountaineers again struggled mightily with turnovers finishing with 19. WVU is now averaging 16 turnovers per game while only forcing 13. Press Virginia is officially dead. The fellas (Brad Howe, Nathan Adrian and Tony Caridi) pull back the...

An early big lead turned into a late big loss for the Mountaineer basketball team. Saturday's setback at top-rated Tennessee was the sixth loss in seven games for WVU. Now what? The Mountaineers return to Big 12 play on Wednesday hurting both physically and mentally. Junior guard Beetle Bolden's sprained ankle forced him out of Saturday's game. His status remains in doubt. Wednesday's game against...

Can the Mountaineers beat two top-10 teams in a span of seven days? That's the question the fellas (Brad Howe, Nathan Adrian and Tony Caridi) ponder on this episode of Three Guys Before The Game. Yes, WVU did beat 7th rated Kansas last Saturday, but number one Tennessee offers a completely different set of challenges. Coach Rick Barnes squad appears to have no weaknesses. The Vols are big, talente...

How did the Mountaineer basketball team beat 7th ranked Kansas and then lose in convincing fashion to Baylor two days later? It's the number one question on episode 86 of Three Guys Before The Game. Brad Howe, Nathan Adrian and Tony Caridi try to solve the riddle of the Mountaineers perplexing play. The fellas also go in depth on the statistics WVU has produced in its wins and losses. As you might...

The stare down between West Virginia and Oklahoma didn't last long. Quarterback Austin Kendall has been granted a release which would allow for his transfer to WVU. Oklahoma relented from its original position to block the transfer after an onslaught of negative publicity. What do we learn from this latest episode of transfer controversy? Brad Howe, Hoppy Kercheval and Tony Caridi look at the deci...

A redshirt comes off, two starters are benched, and the Mountaineers fall to 0-4 in the Big 12. Now what? The WVU basketball team is entering a zone where no other Bob Huggins team has gone before. As the veteran coach continues to push buttons, the result remains the same. Will Saturday's benching of Esa Ahmad and Wes Harris lead to more productivity or will the first year players continue to see...

Neal Brown wins rave reviews in his introductory press conference, while the Mountaineer basketball team flounders in the finish at Kansas State. Brad Howe, Nathan Adrian, and Tony Caridi provide their take on both topics on episode 83 of Three Guys Before The Game. Mountaineer Nation learned more from Brown on his plans to lead WVU football into the future. What quality does he have that makes hi...

Did WVU pull off the coaching hire of the season? Neal Brown's arrival at WVU is drawing praise from both inside the state and across the nation. On the basketball court, improved defense and effort hasn't been enough in WVU first two Big 12 games. What's the solution? Brad Howe, Hoppy Kercheval, Nathan Adrian and Tony Caridi provide insight and ask a few questions of their own on episode 82 of Th...

The clock is winding toward the hiring of a new Mountaineer football coach. Interviews began Wednesday and continue today. The entire process could be complete by this weekend. Hoppy Kercheval, Brad Howe and Tony Caridi update the search and detail how the eventual choice will be made. In a Three Guys first, Nathan Adrian slides into the show (literally) to talk about WVU's season opening loss to...