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OPENING THOUGHTS
Well that was close.
I swear, when I die, it will because WVU did something really stupid in some game. The football and men’s basketball teams create more stress in my life than anything else.
It’s sad, but it’s true.
With four games left (two of which includes teams WVU is tied with in the Big 12 standings), it’s time to start realizing that there is not much room for error.
At 21-6, we’re probably a lock but these four games plus the Big 12 Tournament could mean the difference between a 3 or 4 seed and a 6 or 7 seed.
This game on Monday is the only game, in my opinion, that WVU can completely control the outcome. If the Mountaineers lay an egg this week, it would set a horrible tone for this Lone Star state road trip coming up this weekend.
Hopefully WVU will play for a full 40 minutes this time...
WHEN/WHERE
Date: Monday, February 20th
Tip-Off Time: 9:00 PM ET
Where: WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, WV
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Tickets: General Public ; WVU Students
WATCH/LISTEN
TV: ESPN
Streaming Video: WatchESPN (or the ESPN app for smartphones)
Radio: WZST Variety 101 (100.9 FM in Morgantown) and the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG (Radio Affiliates)
Streaming Audio: Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG on TuneIn Radio (or the TuneIn Radio app for smartphones)
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM 84
ODDS
Spread: WVU by 15.5
O/U: 143
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) |
| 2 | BYE | Kansas State/Oklahoma | Baylor/TCU | Kansas/Iowa St./OK State/TX Tech/Texas |
NCAA BRACKETOLOGY
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
| ESPN (Feb. 20) | 4 | Princeton | Wisconsin/Syracuse | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| CBS (Feb. 20) | 5 | Illinois State | Cincinnati/Vermont | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| NBC (Feb. 20) | 4 | Vermont | Cincinnati/Monmouth | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| SB Nation (Feb. 17) | 4 | Akron | Creighton/Wichita State | Milwaukee (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| Sports Illustrated (Feb. 20) | 3 | UT Arlington | Northwestern/Arkansas | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
THE ENEMY
Where are they from? Austin, Texas
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Series History: Texas leads the series 8-5
Last Time: No. 10 West Virginia 74, Texas 72 on January 14 in Austin
SB Nation Blog: Burnt Orange Nation
Record: 10-17 (4-10 Big 12)
Head Coach: Shaka Smart (SHAKA FLOCKA FLAME)
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KEYS TO THE GAME
- The game lasts longer than 37 minutes. We’re all thinking it...
- Texas playmakers. Jarrett Allen has been heating up lately. He’s been one rebound away here and there from four straight double-doubles. Freshman Andrew Jones has been in double figures the last few games as well.
- Give Beetle a little more PT. This would be a great game to get Beetle Bolden a little more exposure. He only played 3 minutes against Texas Tech.
HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10?)
Five. I’m as afraid of the Longhorns as I am of Bruno Mars in a mouse costume.
PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG
The Mountaineers should steam-roll Texas. The Longhorns have not won outside of Austin this season and I don’t see that streak breaking in Morgantown.
West Virginia 74, Texas 66