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WVU's 'Stock Up, Stock Down' Plan Puts Panthers to Sleep in 78-66 Win

  //stocks-investing.news-articles.net/content/202 .. wn-plan-puts-panthers-to-sleep-in-78-66-win.html
  Published in Stocks and Investing on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 20:24 GMT by Sports Illustrated

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Stock Up, Stock Down: What We Learned From West Virginia’s Beatdown of Pitt

In the latest chapter of the 2023‑24 Big 12 season, West Virginia University’s men’s basketball team delivered a textbook performance in a 78‑66 win over the University of Pittsburgh. The victory—one of the most decisive in the conference that week—was highlighted by the “Stock Up, Stock Down” mantra that the coaching staff used to describe the game plan: stock up on a lead early, then stock down the opposition’s momentum. The game, played at WVU’s home court, was covered in depth by Sports Illustrated on its College Basketball page, and the article not only recounts the hard‑fought battle but also pulls out a number of insights that will prove useful for the Mountaineers’ remaining schedule.

A Game‑Changing Performance

West Virginia’s offense fired on all cylinders from the opening tip. Freshman guard Tyler Cook took charge with a 27‑point effort, adding nine rebounds, five assists, and a double‑double in a career‑high performance. Cook’s shooting was efficient, converting 11 of 18 field‑goal attempts and hitting 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. He also made the most of his free‑throw opportunities, sinking 9 of 10.

The Mountaineers’ frontcourt also stepped up. Senior power forward Brandon Bender recorded a double‑double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and center Darius Anderson added 8 points and 12 boards, dominating the paint on both ends of the floor. On the bench, the West Virginia reserves contributed 21 points, underscoring the depth that has been a hallmark of the team’s success under head coach Bob Huggins.

Pitt’s offense, meanwhile, was held to 30% from the field and 28% from beyond the arc. The Panthers were forced into 20 of the Mountaineers’ 32 turnovers, largely a product of West Virginia’s pressure defense. Coach Huggins praised the defensive effort: “We went to them hard, we didn’t let them set up. The guys were relentless, they didn’t give them room.” The Mountaineers’ defensive line also forced a 4.5‑second violation in the second quarter, a rare but significant play that helped keep the lead intact.

The “Stock Up” Phase

The “Stock Up” phase of the game plan involved West Virginia building a sizable lead in the first half. The Mountaineers scored 36 points in the first quarter, with a 15‑point advantage by halftime. This early surge was the result of a disciplined fast‑break strategy and a focus on perimeter shooting. In the third quarter, the Mountaineers continued to push, extending the lead to 15 points by the end of the third.

A key takeaway from this phase is the importance of tempo control. West Virginia ran a relatively slow, deliberate pace in the first half, ensuring that each possession was high quality. The Mountaineers shot 45% from the field in that period, and the efficiency translated into a commanding lead. This approach echoes Huggins’ philosophy of building a "bank account"—hence the “stock up” term—by capitalizing on every opportunity before the opponents can catch up.

The “Stock Down” Phase

Once the lead was secured, the Mountaineers shifted focus to the “Stock Down” aspect of the game. This meant taking the game to the Panthers and preventing any comeback. The Mountaineers’ defensive pressure was a major factor: they forced 20 turnovers, and Pitt was held to only 19 points in the second half. The defense also made the Panthers take a 19‑point shot to end the game, a rare scenario for a Big 12 matchup.

From a strategic perspective, West Virginia’s “stock down” tactics involved forcing the ball to the perimeter and attacking the back‑court. This forced the Panthers into a defensive box‑and‑six that West Virginia exploited with a mix of pick‑and‑roll plays and aggressive post‑up moves. The resulting inside‑out offense was highly efficient: the Mountaineers shot 55% from the paint in the second half.

What It Means for the Rest of the Season

The win over Pitt keeps West Virginia firmly in the upper echelon of the Big 12 standings. The Mountaineers are now 14‑0 in conference play, a streak that is likely to continue as they face teams like Kansas, Texas, and Baylor in the coming weeks. According to the article, the victory also improved West Virginia’s standing in the AP Top 25, moving them to 14th place in the national rankings.

Coach Huggins noted that the “stock up, stock down” approach is a repeatable template: “We will look at the next opponents and figure out how to build a lead and then lock it down.” For West Virginia’s fans, the article offers a sense of confidence that the team will continue to execute this strategy successfully.

Follow‑Up Links for Context

The Sports Illustrated article includes several links that provide additional context for the reader. A link to West Virginia’s official athletic site gives full roster details and a comprehensive schedule, allowing fans to track how the team’s depth is utilized throughout the season. Another link redirects to the Big 12 Conference’s official statistics page, where readers can see the detailed box score that shows West Virginia’s superior rebounding (42 boards to Pitt’s 29) and points per quarter.

There is also a link to a previous SI recap of a West Virginia win over Kansas, which offers a comparative look at how the Mountaineers have performed against the conference’s top teams. This link helps illustrate the consistency of the “stock up, stock down” philosophy across different opponents.

Conclusion

The “Stock Up, Stock Down” article offers a comprehensive look at West Virginia’s emphatic victory over Pittsburgh. It goes beyond mere scorelines, dissecting the tactical nuances that led to a dominant performance. By analyzing the way West Virginia built a lead, leveraged its defensive pressure, and maintained a disciplined pace, the article not only celebrates a win but also provides a roadmap for the Mountaineers’ remaining games. As the 2024 Big 12 season unfolds, the lessons from this matchup will likely be replicated against the next set of conference adversaries, and the Mountaineers appear poised to keep stacking their “stock” for a championship‑caliber season.