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We, regrettably, have a game tonight.
Since this is the real world and we can’t just choose the option to sim to the end of the season, I guess the show must go on. Fresh off a humiliating 81-50 loss to the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Lubbock on Monday, the West Virginia Mountaineers (10-13, 2-8 Big 12) return to Morgantown this evening to take on the Texas Longhorns (13-10, 5-5 Big 12).
The last meeting between these two teams ended with a 7 point win for the Longhorns. Can West Virginia bring some of the magic they showed against the Oklahoma Sooners last Saturday, or will it be more of the same from the struggling Mountaineers?
In the meantime, enjoy this video from former Smoking Musket editor, John Lowe:
Hey guys, since #WVU plays Texas today. Just remember....#HornsDown
— John Lowe (@JohnEverett24) February 9, 2019
⬇️ pic.twitter.com/yzINKdP47K
WHEN/WHERE
Date: Saturday, February 9th
Tip-Off Time: 8:00PM EST
Where: WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, West Virginia
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WATCH/LISTEN
TV: ESPN2
Streaming Video: WatchESPN
Radio: Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG (Radio Affiliates)
Streaming Audio: Locate the Mountaineers Sports Network from IMG on TuneIn Radio (or the TuneIn app for smartphones)
Satellite Radio: XM 84, Sirius 84
ODDS
Spread: Texas -3.5
O/U: 141
THE ENEMY
Where are they from? Austin, Texas
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Series History: Texas leads the all-time series 10-8. West Virginia is 4-2 against the Longhorns in Morgantown with two consecutive wins, including an 86-51 win last season
Last Time: Texas 61, West Virginia 54 on January 5, 2019 in Austin, Texas.
SB Nation Blog: Burnt Orange Nation and Barking Carnival
Record: 13-10 (5-5 Big 12)
Record in 2017-18: 19-14 (8-10 Big 12)
Head Coach: Shaka Smart (4th Season)
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(Photo submitted without additional comment)
PROBABLE STARTERS
Based on previous game’s 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. | 12.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg |
| 1 | Derek Culver | F | 6-10 | 255 | Fr. | 12.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg |
| 21 | Wesley Harris | F | 6-8 | 200 | Jr. | 8.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg |
| 5 | Jordan McCabe | G | 6-10 | 183 | Fr. | 2.8 ppg, 1.0 rpg |
| 10 | Jermaine Haley | G | 6-7 | 215 | Jr. | 3.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg |
Texas
| No. | Name | Pos | Ht. | Wt. | Class | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Name | Pos | Ht. | Wt. | Class | Stats |
| 10 | Jaxon Hayes | F | 6-11 | 220 | Fr. | 10.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg |
| 21 | Dylan Osetkowski | F | 6-9 | 250 | Sr. | 10.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg |
| 2 | Matt Coleman III | G | 6-2 | 180 | So. | 10.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg |
| 3 | Courtney Ramey | G | 6-3 | 185 | Fr. | 6.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg |
| 12 | Kerwin Roach II | G | 6-4 | 180 | Sr. | 14.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg |
HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)?
Ten. I’m not afraid of losing at this point, but rather how we lose. I’ve reached the acceptance stage of grief and have completely written this season off as a total loss. The goal now is to try not to get extremely humiliated by our opponents and try not to lose anyone to an injury that will sideline them next season as well - especially Derek Culver.
PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG
I predict I’ll elect to watch the AAF tonight and have this game on as a second screen option. I’d advise everyone to consider doing the same. If you can’t bring yourself to do that, and you just can’t miss a WVU game, I implore you to go into this game with zero expectations. It’s the key to making sure this team doesn’t continue breaking your heart.
Texas 71, West Virginia 58