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Game Day Vitals
- #10 West Virginia Mountaineers (21-7, Big 12 10-5, NCAA RPI 13) vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (12-16, Big 12 3-12, NCAA RPI 147)
- Series Record: Series tied 4-4
- Location: Gallagher-Iba Arena (Capacity: 13,611) Stillwater, Oklahoma
- Last meeting: WVU 77 OSU 60, WVU Coliseum, Jan. 9, 2016
- Vegas Lines: WVU (-6.5) O/U 137.5
- Date: Saturday, February 27, 2016, 6:00 pm ET
- Television: ESPNU
- Online Streaming: WatchESPN
- Radio Affiliates
Opponent Information
- Oklahoma State Cowboys (12-16, Big 12 3-12, NCAA RPI 147)
- Head Coach: Travis Ford, Seventh year as Oklahoma State head coach, 334–259 career (.563)
- Last Result - Bedlam loss to #3 Oklahoma in Norman 71-49
- Official Cowboys Athletics website
- SB Nation Oklahoma State blog - Cowboys Ride for Free
Interwebs
Game Preview
West Virginia needed that 97-87 win over Iowa State badly. As Huggs discusses above, everybody feels better when the shooting is at 50%. The hope is that the Mountaineers can use this as a building block as the February closes and the month of Izzo Smitty's birthday March graces us with its college basketball glory. While that is a possibility, a win over a toothless Oklahoma State squad wouldn't be much of an indicator. A loss, however, could sweep away all the momentum from the Iowa State victory and we'd be back to meh mode. No one wants to be in meh mode weeks away from the tournament, so this one has some importance.
Travis Ford's Oklahoma State Cowboys do not look like the type of team to knock off the Mountaineers right now. Amid a three game losing streak, all by double digits, @DidFordGetFired has picked up some steam and may get its wish by the end of the season. Phil Forte's injury and the victory over Kansas back in January may help his argument, but it is probably not enough to save his job. I'm still left to wonder: How did the Marcus Smart years not help in Stillwater?
Prediction
WVU 88
OSU 69