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OPENING THOUGHTS
If you would’ve told me two weeks ago that this game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and Iowa State Cyclones would have huge implications for the rest of the season, I would have said you’re crazy. West Virginia was on a roll, and looking unstoppable.
Funny how things can change so quickly.
It’s true, though, this game is must win for the Mountaineers if they want to finish out the season strong. Lose in Ames, and suddenly the rest of the season is in doubt. We have to win the games we’re supposed to win.
With that said...
LET’S RIOTBALL
WHEN/WHERE
Date: Wednesday, January 31st
Tip-Off Time: 7:00 PM ET
Where: Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa
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Tickets: General Public
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 83
ODDS
Spread: West Virginia -9
O/U: 148
Bracketology
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDIA | SEED | 1ST RD OPPONENT | 2ND RD OPPONENT | LOCATION | REGION |
| ESPN (Jan. 29) | 4 | Vermont | Kentucky/Boise St-NC State | Dallas, TX | South |
| CBS (Jan. 29) | 5 | Buffalo | Florida/Vermont | San Diego, CA | Midwest |
| SB Nation (Jan. 30) | 4 | South Dakota State | Seton Hall/Middle Tennessee | Dallas, TX | South |
THE ENEMY
Where are they from? Ames, Iowa
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Series History: Iowa State leads the series 6-5
Last Time: No. 23 Iowa State 80, No. 11 West Virginia 74 on March 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri (Big 12 Championship Finals)
SB Nation Blog: Wide Right & Natty Lite
Record: 11-9 (2-6 Big 12)
2016-2017 Record: 24-11 (12-6 Big 12); Lost to Purdue in NCAA Second Round
Head Coach: Steve Prohm (3rd Season)
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KEYS TO THE GAME
- Daxter Miles/Lamont West/Esa Ahmad. West Virginia desperately needs at least one of these guys to step their game up and start making shots. Jevon Carter and Sagaba Konate can’t do everything on their own.
- Run The Offense. We have a tendency to get away from our offense in the second half, which also limits us in being able to set up the press. West Virginia pressed on 20+ possessions in the first half vs. Kentucky. They only pressed on 4 possession in the second half.
HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)?
Seven. I’m probably not go to rank any of our remaining games less than a seven on the fear factor scale, because nothing is easy in the Big 12 and we’ve shown that we are far from prone to blowing large leads to teams we should beat.
Iowa State is cellar dwelling in the Big 12 this season, but that doesn’t mean Hilton Magic can’t rear its ugly head and swallow the Mountaineers up. Bob Huggins had a lot of work to do between Saturday and today, and we’ll have a better idea of how things are going to go the rest of the way after tonight.
PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG
Hilton Magic nearly gets the Mountaineers, but Daxter Miles finally gets his shot back and West Virginia manages to hold onto the lead they build in the first half.
West Virginia 74, Iowa State 67