It will also provide CBS broadcasters with something to occupy their conversation aside from basketball.
So prepare yourself for pictures of West Virginia coach Gale Catlett in those garish plaid sportcoats he wore while coaching the Cincinnati Bearcats in the mid-1970s. And also for shots of Bob Huggins in a West Virginia uniform, more threatening as a player than he is as UC's coach.
What will all of this mean, though, to the players who will decide whether UC (27-5) or West Virginia (23-8) advances to the NCAA West Regional semifinals Thursday in Anaheim? Get serious.
Several fine players will be competing in their final college basketball game this afternoon, when the Bearcats and Mountaineers meet at 2:20 at BSU Pavilion. Several others will be two victories removed from college basketball's ultimate destination, the Final Four.
''All that really doesn't mean much,'' said Bobby Brannen, UC's senior forward. ''This is a very important game. It's the next step for us. As of right now, it's the most important game of our season.''
Both Catlett and Huggins were in dismissive moods regarding this subject, although Huggins made his case with less sarcasm. Catlett kept interrupting himself when talking about his Cincinnati history: ''These questions are really relative to the game tomorrow.''
Huggins simply said, ''What else would you have to talk about? I guess it's boring just to talk about the game.''
In fact, this is an intriguing matchup, made more so by the nature of the teams' performances in Thursday's opening games. West Virginia destroyed a respected Temple team by 30 points. UC nearly made itself this year's tournament punchline before scraping to a three-point victory over Northern Arizona.
Momentum may be a factor. Some recent tournament history suggests otherwise, with Colorado last season, Temple in 1996 and Texas in 1995 earning overwhelming first-round victories and then falling in the next round. But in 1997, 10th-seeded Providence blitzed a capable Marquette team, then did the same in the second round against second-seeded Duke.
''If you can get by the first game,'' Catlett said, ''things do smooth out a bit.''
Catlett has 3 players 6-8 or taller to throw at UC, including 6-8 Brent Solheim (45).
(AP photo)
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Perhaps not for the Bearcats. For the first time in nearly two months, UC must be concerned about handling a size disadvantage. The Bearcats will have to deal with 6-11 center Brian Lewin and 6-8 power forward Brent Solheim in the lineup and 6-8 Marcus Goree off the bench.
It is the biggest team to oppose the Bearcats since they defeated Massachusetts in December.
UC did not react well to the frustration imposed by Northern Arizona's intricate offensive system. That could mean there may not be another such problem for the Bearcats unless they oppose Princeton in the Final Four. Or it could be an alarming signal that the resolve that produced a 10-game winning streak is coming unraveled.
''I wasn't into it. I honestly don't know why,'' said said point guard Michael Horton, who played 14 minutes and had one assist. ''I was feeling like a different person. But I know now this is the tournament, and I've got to play.''
West Virginia is certain to attack Horton with its press. The secret the Bearcats have hidden throughout this season is they often struggle to handle pressure, as in defeats against Xavier and South Carolina. Turnovers caused a collapse in both.
Bobby Brannen appears on the TV monitor while answering questions (background) during a Friday press conference.
(AP photo)
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Others have been fearful of pressing, though, because of the Bearcats' ability to finish fast-breaks.
''If you want to give their staff a tip,'' Catlett said, ''tell them, 'West Virginia is going to press.' That's what we do.''
UC recently has improved against pressure. UNC Charlotte defended three-quarters of the court in the game that decided the Conference USA regular-season title, and UC's 18 turnovers were an acceptable total for playing without Horton. UAB tried it a little in the C-USA tournament, and UNCC as well, but the Bearcats committed a combined 24 turnovers with Horton turning in two of his best performances.
Huggins does not seem concerned. ''We're much better, when you look at the ability of our athletes, when we can turn people loose and let them go at the goal. I don't think that's a negative for us.''
History still to judge Catlett reign at UC Tim Sullivan column
Catlett refused Huggins a job
WVU's last NCAA win streak: '59
UC women lose in NIT
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