James Long talks to Best Virginia during a timeout in TBT. Photo by Mike Lawrence/TBT
Before he ever coached a game in The Basketball Tournament, James Long said he would be better off as a result of the experience.
Long, two seasons into his tenure as men’s basketball head coach at WVU Tech, reiterated that stance after helping guide Best Virginia to two wins in TBT. Although the West Virginia University alumni team bowed out last week with a loss to Team 23, Long was grateful for the opportunity to coach a team full of professional players over three games in five days, along with two weeks worth of practices leading up to the event.
Best Virginia sharp at start and finish of 63-51 victory over D2 wvmetronews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wvmetronews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Elam ended: Best Virginia struggles late, eliminated from TBT with 75-67 loss to Team 23 By
July 22, 2021 - 12:07 am
Team 23 s Marcus Hall reacts to one of his baskets down the stretch during a 75-67 victory over Best Virginia. Photo by Mike Lawrence/TBT
Best Virginia s Kevin Jones releases a jumper. Photo by Mike Lawrence/TBT
Team 23 s Eric Griffin catches a pass. Photo by Mike Lawrence/TBT
Best Virginia s Tarik Phillip throws a pass.
Kevin Jones reacts during Best Virginia s game against Team 23. Photo by Mike Lawrence/TBT
Best Virginia s Juwan Staten attacks the basket. Photo by Mike Lawrence/TBT
Best Virginia set to battle Team 23 for right to move on in TBT By
Best Virginia comes together moments after its victory over D2. Photo by Mike Lawrence/TBT
CHARLESTON, W.Va. Team 23’s 74-71 victory over Herd That in Monday’s second-round TBT matchup may have been advantageous in more ways than allowing the team to advance to Wednesday’s 9 p.m. regional final against Best Virginia.
The victory over Marshall’s alumni-based squad came on JD Sword’s 3-pointer just before the shot clock expired during an Elam Ending with a target score of 72. Sword’s triple silenced the largely partisan Herd That crowd at Charleston Coliseum, which will be an obstacle Team 23 faces again in the round-of-16 matchup with Best Virginia.
PREVIEW: Best Virginia Meets Team 23 in Round 3 of the TBT si.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from si.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.