WVU - Boston College Preview: How's That ACC Thing Treating You?

2014 Puerto Rico Tipoff Bracket

Game Day Vitals

• West Virginia Mountaineers (3-0, Big XII 0-0, RPI 65) vs. Boston College Eagles (2-1, ACC 0-0, RPI 99)
• Series Record: 8-8, last time: W 78-72. (Boston College's last game in the Big East in Madison Square Garden)
  
• Location: Roberto Clemente Coliseum, (Capacity: 9,000) San Juan, PR
  
• Vegas Lines: (-9) for the good guys O/U 141.0
  
• Date: Friday, November 21st, 2014, at 5PM ET
• Television - ESPNU / WatchESPN
  
• O/U on Big East mentions: 4.5
  
• Radio Affiliates

Opponent Information

• Boston College Eagles (2-1, ACC 0-0, RPI 99)
• Conference - ACC
• Head Coach - Jim Christian, First year as BC head coach, 238–153 elsewhere (.608)
• Last Result - Win vs. New Mexico 69-65
• Official Eagles athletics website
• BN Boston College SB Nation blog - BC Interruption

Game Preview

Couldn't ask for much more from the Mountaineers in their first game in Puerto Rico with 26-point route of George Mason, 91-65. When you force 24 turnovers and win the rebound battle 43-33 with 19 offensive rebounds, there is no other way for that game to end unless you shoot 16.7% in the first half. West Virginia has won their last three games by an average margin of 17 points and that is the way it should be against three small programs. Now, it is time to show it against a P5 program.

However, Boston College is not your typical ACC basketball program. The Eagles have failed to make the NCAA Tournament since 2009 and finished the 2013-2014 year at 8-24 (4-14). This proved to be the last straw for the Boston College administration as they fired head coach Steve Donahue in March after losing in the first round of the ACC Tournament. The Eagles hired Ohio's Jim Christian in April to take over for Donahue and the team is showing signs of improvement. While the wins against New Hampshire and New Mexico won't say much until those teams show their true quality throughout the year, 2-1 isn't a bad start.

The Eagles are driven offensively solely by two upperclassmen guards in Olivier Hanlan (18.3 ppg) and Aaron Brown (16.3 ppg and not THAT Aaron Brown.) The lack of options on the BC offense shows in their scoring average of 63.0ppg (258th nationally.) Honestly, according to the statistics, the Eagles do not impress at all. Their rebounding is 186th, shooting % is 254th, and they only average 10 assists a game. A fun side bet for the game would be if Juwan Staten is going to out-assist Boston College. It's a long shot, but I feel like he could if he tried. Also, with WVU's shooting % at 295th, expect rebound numbers to be astronomical in this one. Perhaps the patrons in the crowd should wear some kind of protection from rogue J's.

Either way, nothing stands out statistically to say Boston College is a good basketball team. After playing New Hampshire, UMass, and New Mexico, these numbers should be higher. The fact that they are in the basement in multiple categories shows that the Mountaineers should have no problem here as long as they make their foul shots down the stretch. Devin Williams is should have a double-double by the 15:00 minute mark in the second half with West Virginia cruising into the championship game.

Prediction:

WVU 70 - BC 55