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OPENING THOUGHTS
So how about the Super Bowl?
For most it can be summed up with one snapshot from one of the commercials:
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Yeah. Exciting ending, though.
Let’s get back to basketball.
In case you missed it, ESPN’s Eamonn Brennan released his first edition of “Bubble Watch” on Tuesday. Here is what he said:
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Now I truly believe that Brennan wants to make WVU a lock, so I wouldn’t say that ESPN dislikes the Mountaineers.
The thing that annoys me is that strength of schedule is something that the university can control.
Since joining the Big 12, non-conference scheduling has gone down the tubes. Examples of the last five seasons proves that.
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WVU cannot expect to have an elite RPI if the non-conference schedule is so poor. Since you’re likely to be beaten up during conference play, you should schedule tought matchups in November and December.
I’m not suggesting that the Mountaineers should schedule Duke or Kentucky (although that would be pretty fun in the Coliseum), but teams like Creighton or Penn State would be respectable additions to the schedule without the fear of a bad loss.
I guess there’s not much that can be done now, so I might as well step off my soapbox and get ready for this game WVU should easily win.
WHEN/WHERE
Date: Wednesday, February 8th
Tip-Off Time: 9:00 PM ET/8:00 PM CT
Where: Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, OK
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Tickets: General Public
WATCH/LISTEN
TV: ESPN2
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 84
ODDS
Spread: WVU by 9
O/U: 156
BRACKETOLOGY
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
| ESPN (Feb. 6) | 3 | Princeton | Butler/Miami | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 23 & 25) |
| CBS (Feb. 6) | 5 | UNC Wilmington | Virginia/Monmouth | Greenville, S.C. (Mar 17 & 19) | 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) |
| SBNation (Feb. 7) | 5 | UNC Wilmington | Florida/Vermont | Orlando, Fla. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar 24 & 26) |
THE ENEMY
Where are they from? Norman, Oklahoma
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Series History: Oklahoma leads the series 9-4
Last Time: Oklahoma 89, No. 7 West Virginia 87 in OT on January 18 in Morgantown
SB Nation Blog: Crimson and Cream Machine
Record: 8-14 (2-8 Big 12)
Head Coach: Lon Kruger (ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED BY OUR NEAR-LOSS TO ABILENE CHRISTIAN?!?!?!?)
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KEYS TO THE GAME
- Jordan Woodard. Enough said.
- Rebounding. WVU needs to win the rebounding battle. OU’s weapons off the glass are Kristian Doolittle and Khadeem Lattin.
- Stop trying to be the Golden State Warriors! 33 attempts from beyond the arc is way too many for a team that averages 36.7%.
HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)?
Five. I’m as afraid of the Sooners as I am of a phone call with John Malkovich.
PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG
I really hope I’m wrong, but I believe that this game will be closer than most want it to be.
West Virginia 77, Oklahoma 73