The West Virginia Mountaineers (14-7, 5-5) are back on the road to take on the TCU Horned Frogs Wednesday night. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. EST and the action will stream on ESPN+.
West Virginia University guard Sencire Harris / Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI
Since their Big 12 opener against Arizona, where the Horned Frogs scored 81 points, they’ve struggled to see the ball go through the hoop. They’re averaging 62.5 points per contest since, and now, they’re welcoming in one of the best defensive teams in the country, West Virginia, who just got their confidence back on Sunday with a win at Cincinnati.
WVU guard Sencire Harris had an extra bounce in his step on Sunday, and it was evident from the jump. That added juice helped fuel West Virginia’s defense, and I expect much of the same tonight. The last thing Darian DeVries wants is for TCU to come out and throw the first four or five punches and fall behind by double digits early. Aside from the Cincinnati game, slow starts have been a theme for WVU lately, and when you’re facing a desperate team like TCU, those dreadful starts are unacceptable.
This one won’t be pretty as far as offense is concerned, but Darian DeVries could care less about style points. Get the win and get out.
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Prediction record: 14-7
West Virginia University guard Javon Small / Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI
West Virginia has lost three-straight to TCU and has not won in Fort Worth since the 2020-21 season.
Much-like West Virginia’s matchup against Cincinnati on Sunday, on paper, the two teams are similar. However, neither Cincinnati or TCU has a Big 12 Player of the Year contender on the roster like WVU has in senior guard Javon Small.
Small missed double figures a week ago against Houston but bounced back with 19 points against Cincinnati, and the senior got help off the bench from senior guard Joseph Yesufu, who went a perfect 6-6 from the field, including 4-4 from behind the arc.
West Virginia will need one or more supporting role players to step up and there are plenty of options. Finding consistency outside of Small since senior forward Tucker DeVries has been sideline with an injury has been an issue. However, when the Mountaineers put in a defensive effort for a full 40 minutes, they’ve been tough to beat.
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The defensive message may have sunk in with this group after the loss to Houston a week ago and the competitive nature of Small makes this Mountaineer team tough to beat.
Small continues to prove he is the best player in the Big 12 while the Mountaineers prove they have one of the better defenses. WVU ends losing streak against TCU, 72-62.
Prediction record: 14-7
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West Virginia Mountaineers (8-3) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (7-2, 1-1 Big Ten)
Cleveland; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Buckeyes -4.5; over/under is 143.5
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BOTTOM LINE: Ohio State takes on West Virginia at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Buckeyes have a 6-1 record against non-conference oppponents. Ohio State ranks ninth in the Big Ten with 16.4 assists per game led by Bruce Thornton averaging 4.2.
The Mountaineers are 8-3 in non-conference play. West Virginia is 3-3 against opponents with a winning record.
Ohio State averages 87.4 points, 29.0 more per game than the 58.4 West Virginia gives up. West Virginia has shot at a 45.4% clip from the field this season, 3.4 percentage points greater than the 42.0% shooting opponents of Ohio State have averaged.
TOP PERFORMERS: Thornton is shooting 62.3% and averaging 21.7 points for the Buckeyes. John Mobley Jr. is averaging 13.7 points.
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Honor Huff is shooting 41.5% and averaging 17.3 points for the Mountaineers. Brenen Lorient is averaging 10.2 points over the last 10 games.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Join the Main Street Morgantown family-friendly holiday shopping event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 13) in Downtown Morgantown.
The event will feature a district-wide scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes and the opportunity to explore holiday pop-up markets by Hoot and Howl, The Co-Op and Apothecary Ale House.
While exploring downtown shops, participants who spot DASH the Dog can collect stamps. Each stamp brings participants closer to the chance of winning prizes from downtown merchants such as gift cards and goods. To qualify for prizes, completed Downtown Dash Guides with five or more stamps must be turned into Hoot and Howl, The Co-Op, Apothecary Ale House or at Breezeline’s play-to-win tent on Courthouse Square.
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As a break from shopping, parents and their little ones can visit Kids Craft, Cookies & Cocoa Central at the WARD Building to enjoy a complimentary hot cocoa and cookie bar and children’s crafts provided by Hotel Morgan sponsored by Main Street Morgantown and Breezeline.
Visitors can also visit the beautiful 25-foot-tall holiday tree on display at Courthouse Square, a collaboration between the City of Morgantown, Monongalia County and Main Street Morgantown.
Sponsored by Breezeline, the Downtown Dash celebrates the holiday season, promotes walking and shopping throughout the downtown district, and supports local businesses by driving foot traffic directly to storefronts.
