Lyons Says “No Thank You” To Marshall Series

Yesterday, West Virginia University athletic director Shane Lyons stated that he has some interest in continuing playing Marshall in basketball, but only if Marshall comes to Morgantown.

The biggest reason Lyons will only play the game in Morgantown is simple: Why play the game in Huntington and fill up their gym and have Marshall generate revenue? Head Coach Bob Huggins has already voiced his opinion about the game and clearly does not want to play in Huntington nor Charleston.

Even playing in Charleston means the Mountaineers are required to travel further than Marshall to play a game where it draws more fans but is still splits the revenue. This makes absolute no sense for West Virginia, so Lyons is doing the right thing by saying that the so called “rivalry” is dead.

The next question is should it ever be renewed? Of course some fans throughout the state would like to see the states only two division one schools play in football and basketball, but in my opinion, it should never return. This has nothing to do with “fearing” Marshall because honestly there’s just nothing to fear. The Mountaineers are currently 12-0 against Marshall in football while the basketball series is 33-11 in favor of the flagship university.

Marshall will always be the “little brother” that West Virginia never wanted and I have no shame in saying that. I won’t bash Marshall University, but they’re just simply not on the same competitive level as West Virginia.

Good for you, Lyons.