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OPENING THOUGHTS
Before I get started, I need to get into character...
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Ok there we go.
“UNLV, UCLA, Kansas-a collection of question marks. Three highly ranked college basketball programs tied together by a cold, snowy reality. Three schools bound together by an experience in a large concrete building. The kind of experience that damages a reputation. Witness the Baylor Bears, a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. A lucky team, whose reputation is near-perfect and dares to enter this building. We will not reveal the answer, only watch it unfold, as the Bears possibly become the next addition to the fraternity of teams that have entered — The Upset Zone.”
AND SCENE. (If you don’t get the reference, it’s a Rod Serling-type intro to the Twilight Zone. If you still don’t get the reference, LOOK IT UP!!)
But no seriously, this is a pretty big game. I really think this could be another one of those games that we will always remember. I also think it’s pretty cool that it is happening at the exact same time of year that the Kansas win occurred (first Tuesday of the spring semester). The Mountaineer are also facing similar rankings (#1 Kansas vs. #11 WVU last year).
All I’m saying is, let’s try to make this an annual event.
WHEN/WHERE
Date: Tuesday, January 10th
Tip-Off Time: 7:00 PM ET
Where: WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, WV
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Tickets: General Public SOLD OUT ; WVU Students SOLD OUT
WATCH/LISTEN
TV: ESPN2
Streaming Video: WatchESPN (or the WatchESPN app for smartphones)
Radio: WZST Variety 101 (100.9 FM in Morgantown) and the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG (Radio Affiliates)
Streaming Audio: Locate the Mountaineers Sports Network from IMG on TuneIn Radio (or the TuneIn app for smartphones)
Satellite Radio: Sirius 83; XM 199
BRACKETOLOGY
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
| ESPN (Jan. 5) | 3 | Princeton | Clemson/Rhode Island-Illinois | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| CBS (Jan. 6) | 4 | Akron | Louisville/Middle Tennessee | Greenville, S.C. (Mar 17 & 19) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| SB Nation (Jan. 10) | 3 | Rider | Cincinnati/MTSU-Cal | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar 23 & 25) |
ODDS
Spread: WVU by anywhere from 5.5 to 7
O/U: 136.5-138
THE ENEMY
Where are they from? Waco, Texas
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Series History: Baylor leads series 7-3
Last Time: No. 10 West Virginia 69, No. 19 Baylor 58 on March 5, 2016 in Waco
SB Nation Blog: Our Daily Bears
Record: 15-0
Bracketology:
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
| ESPN (Jan. 5) | 1 | Jacksonville State | South Carolina/Indiana | Tulsa, Okla. (Mar. 17 & 19) | Memphis, Tenn. (Mar 24 & 26) |
| CBS (Jan. 6) | 1 | FDU/Longwood | Northwestern/Rhode Island | Tulsa, Okla. (Mar. 17 & 19) | Memphis, Tenn. (Mar 24 & 26) |
| SB Nation (Jan. 10) | 1 | Weber State | Virginia Tech/VCU | Tulsa, Okla. (Mar. 17 & 19) | Memphis, Tenn. (Mar 24 & 26) |
Record in 2015-16: 22-12 (10-8 Big 12); Lost to Yale in the first round of the NCAA Tournament
Head Coach: Scott Drew
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KEYS TO THE GAME
- The match-up between the best scoring offense (WVU) and the best scoring defense (Baylor). The Bears make defense the one consistent in their play. If WVU can break Baylor’s defense, it should be a Mountaineer advantage.
- FREE THROW SHOOTING!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is beyond the point where this is funny. Way beyond that point.
HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)?
It’s the top ranked team, so...yeah. That would be 10. They’re number one for a reason. I’m as afraid of Baylor as I am of an actual live bear.
VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED
PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG
With Baylor struggling at home this past week and this being their first true road test, I think WVU finds a way to win at home. Morgantown: Where top-ranked teams come to lose.
West Virginia 73, Baylor 68