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OPENING THOUGHTS
Okay, here we go.
This is the final push for good NCAA seeding.
Lose to Texas and we’re probably looking at a 5 or 6 seed, which would definitely be a disappointment from where this conference season began.
Beat Texas and we’re fighting for a 3 or 4 (possibly a 2, but I doubt it).
WVU has the potential to make this year’s trip to Kansas City special (like last year) or disappointing (like the three seasons preceding).
It’s up to them.
If they set they’re minds to it, maybe we could even see something similar to what we saw in New York seven years ago.
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Needless to say, that was a special year for Mountaineers and West Virginians everywhere.
This year can be too.
WHEN/WHERE
Date: Thursday, March 9th
Tip-Off Time: 7:00 PM ET/6:00 PM CT
Where: Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO
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Tickets: General Public (includes the Baylor vs. K-State game as well)
WATCH/LISTEN
TV: ESPNU
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 199
ODDS
Spread: WVU by 10.5
O/U: 137.5
BRACKETOLOGY
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
| ESPN (Mar. 9) | 4 | Vermont | Cincinnati/UT Arlington | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | Memphis, Tenn. (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| CBS (Mar. 9) | 5 | UT Arlington | Cincinnati/Vermont | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| NBC (Mar. 9) | 5 | UNC Wilmington | Florida/Vermont | Orlando, Fla. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| SB Nation (Mar. 9) | 5 | Nevada | Florida/Vermont | Orlando, Fla. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
| Sports Illustrated (Mar. 7) | 4 | UT Arlington | Notre Dame/Nevada | Buffalo, N.Y. (Mar. 16 & 18) | New York (Mar. 24 & 26) |
THE ENEMY
Where are they from? Austin, Texas
Series History: Texas leads the series 8-6
Last Time: No. 12 West Virginia 77, Texas 62 on February 20 in Morgantown
SB Nation Blog: Burnt Orange Nation
Record: 11-21 (4-14 Big 12)
Bracketology: Not in any major publication
Head Coach: Shaka Smart (he poses for candid photos)
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KEYS TO THE GAME
- Don’t look ahead to the semifinals. The law of large numbers suggests that Texas will beat WVU eventually.
- Do your job. The New England Patriots slogan is perfect here. There is no reason the Mountaineers should lose this game. The Texas Tech-Texas game was a complete slopshow and neither team came out of the game looking particularly good. Just keep your mind on the task at hand and things should be fine.
- Second half ‘Horns. Andrew Jones and Kerwin Roach Jr. went off in the second half against the Red Raiders. Keep an eye on them.
HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)?
Six. I’m as afraid of the Longhorns as I am of sitting next to LaVar Ball at a basketball game.
PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG
I think the Longhorns will come out to play. The game will be close enough to make the ESPN reporters talk about what is wrong with WVU. But some point around the 10:00 mark in the second half, the Mountaineers will pull away. Texas will go on a small scoring run in the last couple of minutes to make the score look presentable.
West Virginia 73, Texas 65