Jordan McCabe, Tyrese Haliburton renew on-court rivalry as West Virginia hosts Iowa State

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — At some point Wednesday night, there will be some intellectual words of wisdom shared on the court between Jordan McCabe and Tyrese Haliburton.

We use “intellectual,” because of Haliburton’s own description of McCabe’s trash-talking ability.

“Jordan’s trash talk is different,” Haliburton said during Big 12 media day. “He doesn’t hit you with the normal stuff. His trash talk actually makes you think a little bit.”

When the story is relayed to McCabe, “That was unintentional, but now that I know that, I’ll have to go back and try to figure out what I said to him.”

The two Wisconsin high school products will be facing each other for a third time in college, when McCabe and the 13th-ranked Mountaineers (17-4, 5-3 Big 12) host Haliburton and Iowa State (9-12, 2-6).

It will be a meeting that will add to a personal rivalry that has also developed into a strong friendship.

“Through the last five years, I think we’re 5-5 against each other,” Haliburton said. “So, no one has really got the advantage yet.”

Their high school careers were part of legend in east Wisconsin.

“In high school, it was always hyped, because we were two of the better players in our state,” Haliburton said. “People would drive for hours to come watch us play against each other. Having the opportunity now to play against each other in college is really cool.”

Haliburton’s Oshkosh North High School and McCabe’s Kaukauna High School were both members of the Fox Valley Association — about a 30-minute drive from each other — but were in different divisions at state-tournament time.

“They were Division 1 and we were Division 2,” McCabe said. “So, he won a state title at Division 1 and we won a state title at Division 2.

“Playing against Tyrese has been fun, because he’s a competitor. I can appreciate that. Actually, that’s what I love about it. Coming up in high school, that’s probably how we became friends. On the court, it’s a different story.”

After a freshman season playing off the ball, the 6-foot-6 Haliburton began to open some eyes over the summer playing with Team USA’s under-19 group that won a gold medal in Greece in the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup.

Haliburton has carried that momentum into his sophomore season, when he is now the Cyclones’ point guard.

He’s fifth in the Big 12 in scoring (15.7 ppg.) and leads the conference with 6.9 assists per game.

“Haliburton is a first-round pick,” WVU head coach Bob Huggins said. “That’s what everybody says. He’s a 6-foot-6 guy with ball skills that passes it really well. Obviously he can make shots.”

The state of Wisconsin, especially around Milwaukee, is becoming more of a known region for college basketball recruiters.

Still, Wisconsin pales in comparison in the number of Division I recruits compared to states like Texas or California.

“I think we both really take pride in where we come from,” Haliburton said. “The little kids definitely looked up to him where he’s from and I think they looked up to me in my area, so it’s a great opportunity to inspire young kids from our state. To be able to play at the highest level possible in college is a great honor for both of us. The state of Wisconsin is not a big recruiting powerhouse like some other states, so I think that adds something for both of us to be where we are.”

As part of their senior years in high school, the two guards split the state’s major Player of the Year awards.

McCabe was honored with Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball title, given to him by the state’s coaches’ association.

Haliburton won the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year.

Both players beat out Tyler Herro, of Milwaukee, who went on to Kentucky and is now earning $3.6 million this season as a rookie with the Miami Heat.

“The funny thing is, we take home those two awards and Herro goes on to sign a multi-million dollar contract,” McCabe said. “So, you decide who won that.”

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