West Virginia
ESPN’s BPI Reveals West Virginia’s Odds to Beat Wake Forest in Critical Non-Con Game
Every game is considered a “must-win” when you really think about it, but in some instances, certain games feel a little more important than others.
Even after a slow start, there was no worry whatsoever that West Virginia would lose to Coppin State on Wednesday night. Getting out to a slow start in tonight’s matchup against Wake Forest could be troublesome, and it’s a game that the Mountaineers absolutely need to have.
The season is still young, but West Virginia enters tonight’s game ranked 95th in the NCAA’s NET Rankings, and if you drop this one, you’re really digging yourself quite a hole before Big 12 Conference play even begins.
According to the ESPN Basketball Power Index (BPI), the Mountaineers have a 61.6% chance to take care of business, while Wake Forest has a 38.4% chance to spoil the fun for WVU fans from the southern part of the state.
West Virginia’s recent games
After going a disappointing 0-2 in the Charleston Classic, the Mountaineers have bounced back, as expected, beating Mercyhurst by 32 and Coppin State by 42. For the first time, really this season, the Mountaineers opened the game a little flat, even falling behind to Coppin State in the first handful of minutes of the game. They eventually turned things around and held them to just 17 second half points en route to a dominant victory.
Wake Forest’s recent games
The Demon Deacons saw their three-game winning streak come to an end earlier this week with a blowout loss to Oklahoma. Their two other losses came by a single point each, falling to No. 6 Michigan in overtime and No. 15 Texas Tech. Of their six wins, American is the only team they’ve beaten with a winning record. Although they played extremely well against two top-15 teams, they were unable to reach the finish line, so this one is just as important for them.
West Virginia and Wake Forest are slated to get the action started at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI
How to watch West Virginia vs. Wake Forest: Tip-off time, TV channel, and odds
WVU Secures Impact Pass Rusher in JUCO Standout Darius Wiley
West Virginia Receiver Tyshawn Dues Plans to Enter the Transfer Portal
Pat McAfee Confirms West Virginia ‘Was in the Running’ for Chris Henry Jr.
West Virginia Legacy Chris Henry Jr. Chooses College Destination
OHIO COUNTY, WV — Protesters lined Kruger Street and National Road in Wheeling on Saturday as part of “No Kings” demonstrations held across the country.
People were already packed along the streets before the protest began at 11:30 as participants cited rising gas prices and the controversial Iran war. Protesters chanted and voiced their opinions during the event.
Teddie Grogan said the group gathered to push back against what they see as undemocratic leadership and unnecessary conflict. “We’re here today to protest the fact that we want our country we want it run as a democracy we don’t want wars that are somebodys choice and not a necessity,” Grogan said.
Former U.S. military member Cody Cumpston also criticized the current administration and said he is frustrated by the cost of living and the direction of the country. “I’m here today because of the current administration we’re in a new war we didn’t need to be in prices are still skyrocketing I’m just tired of it I feel like they’ve forgotten all about us and they keep forgetting about us,” Cumpston said.
Another protester, April Pascoli, said she believes many people are not aware of what the administration is doing internationally and at home. “If I don’t go to work one day and I ask people do you know what’s happening in this country? And somebody says, we’re at war right now? Really? People my age don’t even know that we have troops on the ground, that they are bombing. Bombing our bases in the middle east. Do you know that, do you realize that?” Pascoli said.
The No. 17 West Virginia Mountaineers (17-4, 5-1) are in a top 25 road matchup and look to remain atop the Big 12 Conference standings against the No. 22 Arizona State Devils (18-6, 4-2) for a three-game weekend series. Game one is Friday night with the first pitch set for 9:30 p.m. EST (ESPN+) game two is Saturday at 9:30 p.m. EST (ESPN+) and the series finale is scheduled for Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. EST (ESPN2).
West Virginia comes into the game on a six-game winning streak after taking two of three from Baylor, sweeping BYU and knocked off Marshall Tuesday night.
Two Mountaineers reside in the top five of the Big 12 in batting averaging. Paul Schoenfeld has emerged as the Mountaineers leader at the plate, hitting a team-high .418, which ranks third in the conference with a team-best 26 RBI. The senior is currently on an 11-game hitting streak.
Gavin Kelly is fourth in the league with a .416 batting average and is riding a 17-game hitting streak. The sophomore leads the team in hits (37), runs (28) and doubles (11).
Senior Matthew Graveline has clubbed a team-high four home runs, while junior Armani leads the Mountaineers in stolen bases with 12.
On the mound, West Virginia is expected to start Dawson Montesa in the series opener. The junior right hander threw seven innings in his last outing against BYU, tying a season-high, with seven strikeouts. He holds 4-0 record with 4.65 ERA and 39 strikeouts.
Lefty Maxx Yehl is scheduled to move to the middle of the series after closing out each of the first six series of the season. The redshirt junior is second in the conference in ERA at .084, allowing a mere three runs in 32.0 innings of work. In the last two outings, he has recorded a combined 23 strikeouts, upping his season total to a team-leading 44 strikeouts on the season.
Chansen Cole will start game three. The right-handed sophomore had his toughest outing of the season last weekend against BYU. He allowed six earned runs in three innings, but registered six strikeouts. He is currently 3-0 with a 4.00 ERA with 29 strikeouts.
Arizona State is 11-2 after a four-game skid against SEC opponents, and notched its series wins over TCU and Kansas State.
Sophomore Landon Hairston leads the team with a .458 batting average, tie with fifth-year senior Dean Toigo with 11 home runs, 11 doubles, 36 runs, and 34 RBI.
Junior lefty Cole Carlon is slated to counter with Cole Carlon (2-1, 3.19 ERA), junior right-hander Alex Overbay (0-0, 5.19 ERA), is set for game two, and senior righty Kole Klecker (3-1, 5.61 ERA) is scheduled for the series finale.
This is the first meeting between the two programs.
‘The Comeback’ is back. That’s something to Cherish
The best deals we’ve found from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (so far)
Zelenskyy offers cutting-edge drone defense to Gulf allies as Ukraine seeks missile support
JD Vance says he was ‘obsessed’ with UFOs, believes aliens are actually ‘demons’
Hormone therapy boosts weight loss drug results by 35% in women, study finds
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
JD Vance says he was ‘obsessed’ with UFOs, believes aliens are actually ‘demons’
The EU's recipe for trade deals : easy on beef, tough on wine
Photos: ‘No Kings’ protests across the country
Jeffries declines to break with indicted Democrat after ethics panel’s guilty verdict
Hundreds of thousands march through London in stand against the far right
-
Sports1 week agoIOC addresses execution of 19-year-old Iranian wrestler Saleh Mohammadi
-
New Mexico6 days agoClovis shooting leaves one dead, four injured
-
Tennessee5 days agoTennessee Police Investigating Alleged Assault Involving ‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson
-
Technology7 days agoYouTube job scam text: How to spot it fast
-
Minneapolis, MN3 days agoBoy who shielded classmate during school shooting receives Medal of Honor
-
Texas1 week agoHow to buy Houston vs. Texas A&M 2026 March Madness tickets
-
Science1 week agoRecord Heat Meets a Major Snow Drought Across the West
-
Politics1 week agoSchumer gambit fails as DHS shutdown hits 36 days and airport lines grow