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Football
Big 12’s top running backs will share the field Saturday in Ames
In all likelihood, Iowa State’s Breece Hall and West Virginia’s Leddie Brown will finish this season as the top two running backs in the Big 12 Conference. Brown has surpassed the rushing output of the entire Mountaineer roster last season, racking up 897 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
Iowa State poses different challenges to WVU’s improving defense
West Virginia will close out the regular season against the two likely combatants in the Big 12 Championship game, #9 Iowa State and #11 Oklahoma. The Cyclones have reached a 7-2 record by heavily relying on multiple tight ends in the passing game.
Basketball
No fans will be allowed for December games at the Coliseum
West Virginia will be playing home basketball games without the home court advantage that the WVU Coliseum and the fans that fill it usually provide. No fans will be allowed to attend games at the WVU Coliseum in the month of December. Previously, it was announced that the Coliseum would welcome 20% capacity, although no tickets were put on sale for home games. The University claims that the change is due to recent spikes of positive cases and for overall safety precautions from the COVID-19 pandemic for indoor events. Expected capacity at home games in January and February will be announced later.
West Virginia Welcomes North Alabama for Home Opener
The West Virginia women’s basketball team gets set for its 2020-21 home opener tonight, as the Mountaineers play host to North Alabama. Opening tip against the Lions is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown. Although WVU is celebrating 50 years in the Coliseum this season, no fans will be allowed to attend the game. The game will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+, with Lanny Frattare and Meg Bulger on the call.
Phillips’ Basket A Big Part Of WVU Coliseum’s Golden History
When the first-ever game was played at the WVU Coliseum, which was 50 years ago on December 1st, 1970, Charleston native Levi Phillips was the first player to score a basket in the new, 14,000-seat facility.
West Virginia Athletics
Ten Earn Academic All-Big 12 Honors
Ten members of the West Virginia cross country team were named to the Academic All-Big 12 Women’s Cross Country First Team.
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Mountaineers in the Pros: Week 12
In Week 12 of the 2020 NFL Season, nine former Mountaineers saw action. Colton McKivitz earned his first NFL start in the 49ers win over the Rams on Sunday. Rasul Douglas started at cornerback for the Carolina Panthers and recorded seven tackles with six being solo stops. Nick Kwiatkoski started at middle linebacker for the Las Vegas Raiders and recorded six tackles with four being solo stops.
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Around the Big 12
Six on Wooden Award Watch List
The John R. Wooden Award has announced its Preseason Top 50 Watch List. Big 12 representatives are West Virginia’s Oscar Tshiebwe, Baylor’s Jared Butler and MaCio Teague, Kansas’ Marcus Garrett, Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham, and Texas’ Greg Brown.
Coleman, No. 17 Texas beat No. 14 UNC 69-67 for Maui title
#17 Texas’ Matt Coleman III’s clock-beating shot and a defensive effort carried the Longhorns to a win over #14 North Carolina. Coleman hit a jumper with 0.1 seconds left to help Texas beat UNC 69-67 in Wednesday’s final, capping a wild finish that saw the Longhorns regroup after blowing a 16-point lead and falling behind late.
What we learned: South Dakota State 71, Iowa State 68
After flirting with trouble in its opener, the Iowa State men’s basketball team found it Wednesday night. The Cyclones suffered their first loss of the season, a disappointing 71-68 home setback to South Dakota State of the Summit League.
Around the NCAA
College football conference power rankings
As December begins, we are getting a clearer picture of who the top college football teams are in each Power 5 conference and the Group of 5. Check out each conference to see where things stand heading into Week 14.
No. 23 Ohio St pulls away, routs Morehead State 77-44
E.J. Liddell scored 16 points and #23 Ohio State pulled away from Morehead State for a 77-44 win on Wednesday. Justice Sueing, C.J. Walker, and Duane Washington Jr. had 11 points apiece for the Buckeyes.
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Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards agree to Russell Westbrook-John Wall trade
The Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets have agreed to trade two disgruntled star point guards, John Wall and Russell Westbrook. The Wizards are sending Wall and a lottery-protected 2023 first-round NBA draft pick to the Rockets for Westbrook.
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