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West Virginia vs Rider Preview: Mountaineers set to take on the Broncs for first time in 40 years

With the non-conference schedule about to get a little bit harder, the Broncs serve as the perfect warmup game.

NCAA Basketball: Valparaiso at West Virginia Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

WHEN/WHERE

Date: Wednesday, November 28th

Tip-Off Time: 6:30PM ET

Where: WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, West Virginia

WATCH/LISTEN

TV: AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

Streaming Video: Today’s game will be streamed across multiple platforms for users outside of the AT&T SportsNet viewing footprint. The stream will be available on WVUsports.com and the WVU Gameday App. Additionally, fans will be able to tune in live via Roku and Apple TV by searching for the “MountaineerTV” channel on each device.

Radio: Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG (Radio Affiliates); XM 381

Streaming Audio: Locate the Mountaineers Sports Network from IMG on TuneIn Radio (or the TuneIn app for smartphones)

ODDS

Spread: West Virginia -12.5
Total: 160 Points

THE ENEMY

Where are they from? Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Series History: Rider leads the all-time series 2-1.

Last Time: West Virginia and Rider will meet for the fourth time in history, but for the first time since 1978. The last meeting took place on Nov. 25, 1978, an 88-66 WVU win at the Coliseum.

Record: 2-1

Record in 2017-18: 22-10 (15-3 MAAC)

Head Coach: Kevin Baggett (7th Season)

NCAA Basketball: Rider at Penn State Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

PROBABLE STARTERS

West Virginia

No. Name Pos Ht. Wt. Class Stats
No. Name Pos Ht. Wt. Class Stats
23 Esa Ahmad F 6-8 225 Sr. 13.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg
15 Lamont West F 6-8 222 Jr. 13.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg
50 Sagaba Konate F 6-8 250 Jr. 12.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg
2 Brandon Knapper G 6-0 180 r-Fr. 4.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg
14 Chase Harler G 6-3 210 Jr. 6.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg

Rider

No. Name Pos Ht. Wt. Class Stats
No. Name Pos Ht. Wt. Class Stats
14 Dimencio Vaughn F 6-5 210 So. 17.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg
20 Tyere Marshall C 6-9 240 Jr. 7.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg
2 Jordan Allen G 6-4 195 So. 15.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg
12 Anthony Durham G 6-3 200 Sr. 63.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg
23 Stevie Jordan G 6-0 170 Jr. 7.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg

KEYS TO THE GAME

  • Stop Jordan Allen. Allen is going to try to hurt us from beyond the arc, and we can’t let that happen. He’s 50% from three over Rider’s last two games, with an average of 21 points per game. If we can keep him from getting open looks, we’ll be fine.
  • Get the ball to Esa and Sags. Take advantage of the Broncs size disadvantage. Get the ball down low and let Ahmad and Konate go off again.

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

Three. This game will be a good warmup for our matchup with the Pitt Panthers next Saturday. The Broncs and the Panthers both use a four guard starting lineup, which we’re not used to seeing.

PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG

We’re another step closer to seeing this team develop an identity. It may not be Press Virginia, but it works. Mountaineers roll over the Broncs without much struggle.

West Virginia 86, Rider 69