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A buzzer beater by Jermaine Haley followed by an assertive second half performance against TCU has put the swagger back in the West Virginia step.
The Mountaineers are on the road to face Texas Christians on Saturday in Fort Worth.
Jamie ‘Pitt’ Dixon and the Horned Frogs have lost 9 of their last 11 contests, seven of which have been on the road.
West Virginia has fared better over that stretch but is trying to stop a late season skid of their own having lost three of their last four.
WHEN/ WHERE
Date: Wednesday February 22, 2020
Tip-off Time: 2:00 PM ET/ 1:00 PM CT
Where: Schollmaier Arena - Fort Worth, Texas
Tickets: TCUTickets.ca
WATCH/ LISTEN
TV: ESPNU
Streaming Video: Watch ESPN
Radio: WZST Variety 101 (100.9 FM in Morgantown) or the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG (Radio Affiliates)
Streaming Audio: Locate the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG on TuneIn Radio (or the TuneIn Radio app for smartphones)
Satellite Radio: WVU - XM 84/ Kansas - XM 975
THE ENEMY
Where are they from? Fort Worth, Texas
Series History: WVU leads 14-2
Last Time: TCU 49, WVU 81 - January 14, 2020
2019-20 Record: 14-12 (5-8 Big 12) Last Game - @Texas, L 70-56
Head Coach: Jamie Dixon (420-176 overall, 82-53 TCU)
Key Players: G Desmond Bane, G RJ Nembhard, C Kevin Samuel
KEYS TO THE GAME
There is no doubt this WVU team has struggled mightily on the road in conference play. The are looking for just their second conference win on the road when they visit Forth Worth on Saturday.
After a good second half against Oklahoma State on Tuesday, things are looking up, but that good second half came at home. These young Mountaineers have to show up and find some confidence on the road because it will be no secret to TCU that road games on their kryptonite.
West Virginia has to find a way to score around the basket. The Mountaineers have dominated the offensive glass all season, including in their last three loses. An abysmal shooting percentage has accompanied great rebounding efforts, including around the basket.
Mountaineer big men have to find a slow down and make shots close to the basket.
In order to win this game, even against the Horned Frogs who find themselves just above .500 on the season, WVU has to find someone to hit shots. It seems like Taz Sherman is up to the task, having scored 29 points over the last two games. Sean McNeil and Deuce McBride have also shown signs of life over the last two contests.
HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)
8. This is a game WVU should win by 20 no matter where it is played, but it’s a road game and you just don’t know which West Virginia team will show up.
West Virginia 70, TCU 59.