OPENING THOUGHTS
I think it’s pretty safe to say that it’s been a very busy week.
WVU back in the top 10, National Signing Day, Pat McAfee retiring, the list goes on an on.
It’ll be nice to return to some kind of normalcy as we continue this basketball season.
After watching the Mountaineers play Iowa State, all I can think of is how amazing Nathan Adrian has been in Morgantown (both MHS and WVU).
As someone who went to Morgantown High with Nathan Adrian (he graduated in 2013, I graduated in 2014), I feel comfortable commenting on his career.
During his time playing for the Mohigans (2010/11-2012/13), he had a 60-18 record and led MHS to the West Virginia state tournament twice. I thought he was pretty good, but I didn’t think he was Big 12 good.
He committed to WVU in September 2011 (we were still in the Big East by the way), the beginning of his junior year at MHS. I, along with others I’m sure, figured his family knew someone who knew someone that got him on the team.
Regardless of how Adrian got on the team, he has definitely made the best of it. His 23 points on Tuesday against Iowa State was a career-high.
He’s managed to be the heartbeat of the team, while putting a good face on it.
Enjoy his golden locks during the remainder of the season folks! I will surely miss his play when he graduates.
WHEN/WHERE
Date: Saturday, February 4th
Tip-Off Time: 5:00 PM ET
Where: WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, WV
Tickets: General Public SOLD OUT ; WVU Students (*Lower Standing sold out)
WATCH/LISTEN
TV: ESPNU
Streaming Video: WatchESPN (or 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: SiriusXM 81
ODDS
Spread: WVU by 11
O/U: 172.5
BRACKETOLOGY
MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
ESPN (Feb. 2) | 3 | Monmouth | South Carolina/GT-Wichita | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar 24 & 26) |
CBS (Feb. 3) | 4 | Vermont | Duke/Illinois State | Orlando, Fla. (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
NBC (Feb. 2) | 3 | East Tennessee State | Notre Dame/UNC Wilmington | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar 24 & 26) |
SB Nation (Feb. 3) | 4 | Akron | Cincinnati/New Mexico State | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar 24 & 26) |
THE ENEMY
Where are they from? Stillwater, Oklahoma
Series History: WVU leads the series 6-4
Last Time: No. 11 West Virginia 92, Oklahoma State 75 on December 30, 2016 in Stillwater
SB Nation Blog: Cowboys Ride For Free
Record: 14-8 (3-6 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. 2) | 10 | Xavier | Kentucky/Winthrop | Indianapolis (Mar. 17 & 19) | Memphis, Tenn. (Mar. 24 & 26) |
CBS (Feb. 3) | 11 | TCU then South Carolina | Creighton/Florida Gulf Coast | Indianapolis (Mar. 17 & 19) | Memphis, Tenn. (Mar. 24 & 26) |
NBC (Feb. 2) | 11 | South Carolina | Virginia/Florida Gulf Coast | Greenville, S.C. (Mar. 17 & 19) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
SB Nation (Feb. 3) | 9 | Michigan State | Gonzaga/UC Irvine-Weber St | Salt Lake City (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
Head Coach: Brad Underwood (Suit and Nikes? Going with the Ellen Degeneres look apparently...)
KEYS TO THE GAME
- Be aware that times have changed. It’s a different year and a different administration since the last time WVU played Oklahoma State. Don’t just assume we’ll beat them in Morgantown just because we beat them in Stillwater. The Pokes are riding a four game winning streak...so...yeah.
- Not too fond of 15 turnovers. Luckily Iowa State couldn’t do anything offensively. Hopefully the Mountaineers won’t be as sloppy at home.
- OSU playmakers: We’ve got the typical suspects. High scorers Jawun Evans and Jeffrey Carroll along with clutch performers Phil Forte and Leyton Hammonds will be the players to look out for on Saturday evening.
HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)?
Eight. Once again, I am as afraid of the Cowboys as I am of an actual cowboy.
PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG
I believe that WVU will get out to 15-point lead or so in the first half. Oklahoma State will come back, then some free throws (bold prediction, I know) will save the Mountaineers in the end.
West Virginia 84, Oklahoma State 75