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OPENING THOUGHTS
Can Kansas just lose?
I was watching the TCU-Kansas game and I was just annoyed at the fact that despite how competitive the Big 12 is year after year, the Jayhawks still manage to coast to a conference title.
WE NEED A LITTLE MORE PARITY IN THE BIG 12!!
I’m beginning to feel like we’re in Gonzaga’s conference.
That’s all the thoughts I have.
Please read Matt Kirchner’s article about Bob Huggins, it’s AMAZING!!
WHEN/WHERE
Date: Saturday, February 25th
Tip-Off Time: 2:00 PM ET/1:00 PM CT
Where: Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena, Fort Worth, TX (capacity: 8,500)
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Tickets: General Public SOLD OUT
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 81
ODDS
Spread: WVU by 4.5
O/U: 146.5
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) |
| 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. 23) | 4 | Vermont | Virginia/UT Arlington | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| CBS (Feb. 23) | 5 | UNC Wilmington | Cincinnati/Monmouth | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| NBC (Feb. 23) | 4 | Vermont | Cincinnati/Monmouth | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| SB Nation (Feb. 24) | 4 | Princeton | Virginia/Valparaiso | Buffalo, N.Y. (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? Fort Worth, Texas
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Series History: WVU leads the series 10-0
Last Time: No. 7 West Virginia 82, TCU 70 on January 7 in Morgantown
SB Nation Blog: Frogs O’ War
Record: 17-11 (6-9 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. 23) | 11 | Seton Hall then Notre Dame | Kentucky/Akron | Indianapolis (Mar. 17 & 19) | Kansas City, Mo. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| CBS (Feb. 23) | 11 | Syracuse then Maryland | Kentucky/Akron | Indianapolis (Mar. 17 & 19) | Kansas City, Mo. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| NBC (Feb. 23) | 1 (NIT) | N/A | N/A | TCU (1st/2nd/Quarterfinals) | New York (Semifinals/Finals) |
| SB Nation (Feb. 24) | 1 (NIT) | N/A | N/A | TCU (1st/2nd/Quarterfinals) | New York (Semifinals/Finals) |
| Sports Illustrated (Feb. 20) | 12 | Cal then Cincinnati | Butler/Princeton | Indianapolis (Mar. 17 & 19) | Memphis, Tenn. (Mar. 24 & 26) |
Head Coach: Jamie Dixon (suits, white sneakers and JAZZ HANDS!!)
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KEYS TO THE GAME
- TCU playmakers: Vladimir Brodziansky has cooled off lately, but he was still dangerous against WVU back in January. Also keep an eye on JD Miller who has heated up lately for the Frogs.
- Playing a full 40 minutes. The Mountaineers didn’t quite play a full game on Monday, but I’m just going to chalk that up to being a bit distracted after Huggins’ scare.
HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)?
Six. I’m as afraid of TCU as I am of Bender (not Maciej Bender).
PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG
As improved as TCU has been this season, I don’t see them beating WVU. It will probably be closer than you want it to be though. Hopefully they won’t be looking ahead to Baylor...
West Virginia 74, TCU 67