COLLEGE PARK, Md. — When Elon University’s named popped under West Virginia University during ESPN’s Selection Show Monday night, Chelby Carey experienced quite the family dilemma.
The second-year law student is also the daughter of Mountaineer head coach Mike Carey. In his 16th season as head coach, he said he’s been hearing a little smack talk from his daughter.
"When she found out that's who we were playing, she called and said, 'You better watch out,' and, 'We're going to beat you,’” Mike said. “I said, 'If you do, you're not coming back home.'”
Chelby graduated from West Virginia in 2015 before heading to Greensboro. The youngest of Mike’s four childen, she was a manager for her father’s team all four years. She was in attendance when Elon visited Morgantown last season.
“Last year, when she came down to watch the game, I told her she better not wear any Elon shirts or hats,” Mike said. “She didn't."
The law school is currently in the middle of finals, leaving Chelby disappointed that can’t make Friday’s game. But while Mike says she loves it at Elon, there’s no mistake in who she’ll be pulling for at 2:30 p.m. Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
“Conversations between family have obviously been all about West Virginia moving onto the next round,” Chelby said. “My dad has been a basketball coach all of my life so I have been through so many tournaments, wins and losses. I am always proud of him and the accomplishments his teams have made over the years. This game and post-season run is no different.”
Mike expected to hear that answer, commenting, “Blood’s thicker than school.”
And in the matchup between the conference champions of the Big 12 and Colonial Athletic Association, Chelby is keeping a positive attitude about the game, no matter the result.
“Either way you look at it, one of my schools will win and move onto the next round,” Chelby said. “Unfortunately though, there has to be a loser. I send the best of luck to the Mountaineers and Phoenix tomorrow.”