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OPENING THOUGHTS
Welp. Here we go again...
After a solid win against Kansas State, West Virginia has a quick turnaround before taking on blue blood Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse.
In four attempts, the Mountaineers have not won there.
This long stretch of trouble with a certain venue is similar to another in recent history.
The Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh.
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From 2005 to 2011, WVU could never win here. Even when they went to the Final Four, Pitt still beat them.
This streak is way worse in my opinion. Because Pitt. I’d rather lose to Kansas twelve times than lose to Pitt once.
In February 2012 (the last meeting between the two schools), the Mountaineers finally beat Pitt 66-48.
Surely we have the potential to bring back that magic in Lawrence tonight.
WHEN/WHERE
Date: Monday, February 13th
Tip-Off Time: 9:00 PM ET/8:00 PM CT
Where: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS
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Tickets: General Public SOLD OUT
WATCH/LISTEN
TV: ESPN
Streaming Video: WatchESPN (or the WatchESPN app for smartphones)
Radio: WZST Variety 101 (100.9 FM in Morgantown) or the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG (Radio Affiliates)
Streaming Audio: Locate the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG on TuneIn Radio (or the TuneIn Radio app for smartphones)
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM 199
ODDS
Spread: Kansas by 4.5
O/U: 158.5
BIG 12 BRACKETOLOGY
| SEED | FIRST ROUND (MAR. 8) | QUARTERFINALS (MAR. 9) | SEMIFINALS (MAR. 10) | CHAMPIONSHIP (MAR. 11) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEED | FIRST ROUND (MAR. 8) | QUARTERFINALS (MAR. 9) | SEMIFINALS (MAR. 10) | CHAMPIONSHIP (MAR. 11) |
| 3 | BYE | Kansas State | Baylor/Oklahoma State/Oklahoma | Kansas/Iowa St/TCU/Texas/TX Tech |
NCAA BRACKETOLOGY
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
| ESPN (Feb. 10) | 4 | Monmouth | South Carolina/Indiana-Tenn | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| CBS (Feb. 11) | 4 | Monmouth | Cincinnat/UNC Wilmington | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| NBC (Feb. 9) | 3 | Winthrop | Notre Dame/Wichita-Marquette | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar 24 & 26) |
| SB Nation (Feb. 7) | 5 | UNC Wilmington | Florida/Vermont | Orlando, Fla. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar 24 & 26) |
THE ENEMY
Where are they from? Lawrence, Kansas
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Series History: Kansas leads the series 6-4
Last Time: No. 18 West Virginia 85, No. 2 Kansas 69 on January 24 in Morgantown
SB Nation: Rock Chalk Talk
Record: 22-3 (10-2 Big 12)
Bracketology:
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
| ESPN (Feb. 10) | 1 | UC Davis/Texas Southern | Dayton/Wichita State | Tulsa, Okla. (Mar. 17 & 19) | Kansas City, Mo. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| CBS (Feb. 11) | 1 | New Orleans/NC Central | Virginia Tech/VCU | Tulsa, Okla. (Mar. 17 & 19) | Kansas City, Mo. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| NBC (Feb. 9) | 1 | Weber State/UC Davis | Syracuse/Minnesota | Tulsa, Okla. (Mar. 17 & 19) | Kansas City, Mo. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| SB Nation (Feb. 7) | 1 | Sam Houston State | Northwestern/Virginia Tech | Tulsa, Okla. (Mar. 17 & 19) | Kansas City, Mo. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
Head Coach: Bill Self
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KEYS TO THE GAME
- Limit turnovers. The Mountaineers had 18 turnovers against Kansas State on Saturday, and that was at home. That won’t fly in Lawrence.
- Josh Jackson. He was the main guy for the Jayhawks against Texas Tech with 31 points, 11 assists. WVU needs to contain him if they want to win.
HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)?
Ten. I’m as afraid of Kansas as I would be about lighting a match while this guy is doing sit ups.
PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG
I am cautiously optimistic that WVU will win today. LET’S GO MOUNTAINEERS!!
West Virginia 78, Kansas 76