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OPENING THOUGHTS
I can sum up what happened in these last two games with the following video.
This K-State game is the “Come to Jesus” game for the Mountaineers. Going up against Kansas after a poor three-game skid would be bad to say the least.
We had bad stretches like this in the 2010 season (when we went tot the Final Four), so not all is lost. But it is clear that the WVU can’t rest on their laurels after the Baylor win.
This weekend, we’ll find out which direction our team will go from here...
WHEN/WHERE
Date: Saturday, January 21st
Tip-Off Time: 6:00 PM ET/5:00 PM CT
Where: Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, KS
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Tickets: General Public
WATCH/LISTEN
TV: ESPN2
Streaming Video: WatchESPN (or in 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 Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG on TuneIn Radio (or the TuneIn app for smartphones)
Satellite Radio: Sirius 81; XM 81
BRACKETOLOGY
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
| ESPN (Jan. 19) | 3 | Princeton | South Carolina/Wake-VCU | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| CBS (Jan. 20) | 4 | Valparaiso | Duke/Chattanooga | Orlando, Fla. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| NBC (Jan. 19) | 4 | Chattanooga | Purdue/Akron | Orlando, Fla. (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| SB Nation (Jan. 17) | 3 | Princeton | South Carolina/Rhody-Marqette | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
ODDS
Spread: WVU by 4 (according to OddsShark)
O/U: Not yet available
THE ENEMY
Where are they from? Manhattan, Kansas
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Series History: WVU leads series 6-4
Last Time: No. 9 West Virginia 70, Kansas State 55 on January 26, 2016 in Morgantown
SB Nation Blog: Bring On The Cats
Record: 14-4 (3-3 Big 12)
Bracketology:
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
| ESPN (Jan. 19) | 12 | Seton Hall then Florida | Virginia/Chattanooga | Greenville, S.C. (Mar. 17 & 19) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| CBS (Jan. 6) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| NBC (Jan. 19) | 12 | Rhody then Cincinnati | Oregon/New Mexico State | Sacramento, Calif. (Mar. 17 & 19) | Kansas City, Mo. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| SB Nation (Jan. 10) | 2 (NIT) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Record in 2015-16: 17-16 (5-13 Big 12)
Head Coach: Bruce Weber (WHAT IS HE POINTING AT?!? IS HE STARTING THE YMCA DANCE?!?)
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KEYS TO THE GAME
- Must I continue to say it? FREE THROWS!!!!!!!! I do not care that WVU went 10 for 11 in the first half, our free throw shooting is still awful. Through six conference games, the Mountaineers average 64.9% shooting percentage from the charity stripe, DEAD LAST IN THE BIG 12!!
- Like all other teams in the Big 12, K-State has some scorers. Barry Brown and DJ Johnson are carrying this team as expected, with averaging over 12 points per game. Kamau Stokes has also ignited in Big 12 play. Look out for them.
- Lack of effort. Many figured the close win at Texas and the loss of Oklahoma was due to lack of energy. Bob Huggins said during his post-Oklahoma press conference that is was lack of effort. The team has not been putting the time in the gym and it has been showing on the court. Let’s hope they figure themselves out before things get tough.
HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)?
Six. I’m as afraid of K-State as I am of being unprepared for a speech. In the spirit of the 58th presidential inauguration, I present a video of political speech blunders.
PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG
Hopefully the Mountaineers got out of their funk this week in practice. A half-ass effort could get a win in Austin, but it definetly won’t get a win in Manhattan, Kansas.
West Virginia 72, Kansas State 70 (possibly in OT)