West Virginia And Pitt Renew Backyard Brawl In First Meeting Since 2012

OPENING THOUGHTS

Boy, it feels good to have these guys back on the schedule. It’s good to see they have a head coach now that doesn’t try to duck Bob Huggins at every opportunity.

Let’s just go ahead and set the mood.

WHEN/WHERE

Date: Saturday, December 9th

Tip-Off Time: 8:00 PM ET

Where: Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

WATCH/LISTEN

TV: ESPN2

Streaming Video: WatchESPN

Radio: 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: SiriusXM 81

ODDS

Spread: West Virginia -13.5

O/U: 153.5

THE ENEMY

Where are they from? Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Series History: West Virginia leads the all-time series 96-88, Pitt leads the world in eating shit.

Last Time: West Virginia 66, Pittsburgh 48 on February 16, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

SB Nation Blog: Cardiac Hill

Record: 5-4

Record in 2016-17: 16-17 (4-14 ACC)

Head Coach: Kevin Stallings (2nd Season)

Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

KEYS TO THE GAME

• Pitt playmakers: Forward Jared Wilson-Frame comes into this game averaging 12.9 points per game. 6’9” senior Ryan Luther has become a clutch player for the Panthers and is averaging just under a double-double per game (12.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg). If West Virginia can take either of these guys out of their game, the Mountaineers will roll.
• Foul Shooting. The Mountaineers are shooting 76% on free throws this season. In a game that could get pretty physical, West Virginia will have plenty of opportunities from the charity stripe.

HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)?

Five. The Panthers under Kevin Stallings aren’t anywhere near the same as they were under Jamie Dixon, but they are on a four game winning streak and are 4-1 at home this season. A rivalry renewed will always charge both teams and fan bases up.

PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG

Pitt is no match for Press Virginia. Jevon Carter has another career night, Daxter Miles catches a hot hand and Sagaba Konate posterizes a Panther. West Virginia rolls.

West Virginia 79, Pitt 61