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West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins answers questions during a news conference after practice for the NCAA college basketball tournament in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2015. West Virginia plays Kentucky in a regional semifinal on Thursday. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
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West Virginia’s Brandon Watkins dunks during practice at the NCAA college basketball tournament, Wednesday, March 25, 2015, in Cleveland. West Virginia plays Kentucky in a regional semifinal on Thursday. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
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West Virginia’s Jevon Carter pushes the ball across mid court as Tyrone Hughes watches, right, during practice for a college basketball regional semifinal game in the NCAA Tournament in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2015. West Virginia plays Kentucky on Thursday. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
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West Virginia’s Juwan Staten goes up for a shot during practice for a college basketball regional semifinal game in the NCAA Tournament in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2015. West Virginia plays Kentucky on Thursday. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
CLEVELAND (AP) — Kentucky coach John Calipari expects West Virginia to press his top-ranked team from start to finish in the Sweet 16.
The Wildcats, who are seeking to become the first school to go unbeaten since Indiana’s national title team in 1976, have faced presses all season, but not one quite like they’ll see from the Mountaineers (29-5) — or “Press Virginia” as they’ve been nicknamed. Calipari knows West Virginia excels at “creating havoc” and forcing teams into turnovers.
West Virginia leads the nation in steals, but those will be tougher to come by against a tall and talented Kentucky squad that has shown few flaws.
Still, the Mountaineers are confident their press can work.
“Why wouldn’t it?” West Virginia guard Juwan Staten said.
The matchup will also feature Calipari going up against West Virginia’s Bob Huggins, one of his closest coaching friends.