West Virginia Mountaineers Vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Preview: Season 108 Episode 36 - NCAA Second Round

OPENING THOUGHTS

You know, maybe President Obama knew more then we thought he did...

It was a crazy close game and the Nana Foulland/Kimbal Mackenzie really made Bob Huggins and the Mountaineers earn it.

But we got that Lamont West dunk highlight and move on to the second round, so let’s call this a positive experience.

Earlier today (Friday) the university re-published an article that John Antonik wrote back in February 2012 (our last season in the Big East) about our top seven wins against the Notre Dame.

One of them mentioned is the 2010 Big East semifinal. Highlights are here:

Expect this weekend’s game to be very similar to what that one was.

A bit of a slog.

Kind of like almost all of Big 12 play, am I right?

WHEN/WHERE

Date: Saturday, March 18th

Tip-Off Time: 12:10 PM ET

Where: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY

Tickets: General Public (includes the Villanova-Wisconsin game)

WATCH/LISTEN

TV: CBS

Streaming Viedo: March Madness Live (or the March Madness Live 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 201

ODDS

Spread: WVU by 3

O/U: 145.5

BRACKET

THE ENEMY

Where are they from? South Bend, Indiana

Series History: Notre Dame leads the series 27-12

Last Time: No. 20 Notre Dame 71, West Virginia 44 on February 22, 2012 in South Bend

SB Nation Blog: One Foot Down

Record: 26-9 (12-6 ACC)

Head Coach: Mike Brey (FAT GUY IN A LITTLE COAT)

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

KEYS TO THE GAME

• BONZIE COLSON. The man averages a double-double (17.5 PPG, 10.1 RPG). You might want to keep an eye on him.
• Other Irish scorers: V.J. Beachem, Matt Farrell, Steve Vasturia. These three and Colson average 60+ points between them. They aren’t incredibly deep beyond these guys.
• Where was Dax? Miles needs to contribute a little more against a team like the Irish.

HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ONE A SCALE OF 1-10?)

All opponents shall henceforth be designated a ten. As fans, we should always be at DEFCON 1. This is the tournament. No more freebies.

PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG

Tough, fought out slog of a game in which WVU clinches the first spot in the Sweet 16.

West Virginia 61, Notre Dame 60