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Scouting report: 3 keys for Cincinnati Bearcats basketball to win on road at West Virginia

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Scouting report: 3 keys for Cincinnati Bearcats basketball to win on road at West Virginia


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Trying to recover from their most uneven loss of the season, the Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team is headed to Morgantown for a rematch with West Virginia Wednesday night.

Both teams were on the road Saturday, with UC taking on No. 10 Iowa State. West Virginia was in Waco against Baylor. Both played spirited games but home-court advantage ruled with the Bearcats fading in the second half to the Cyclones in Ames 81-70 and the Mountaineers falling in overtime to the Bears, 74-71.

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“We’ve just got to go back, look at film and see what we’ve got to do better,” UC guard Day Day Thomas said. “We got outrebounded, so that’s something we’ve got to focus on in practice.”

The Bearcats were outclassed 37-19 on the boards against the bulkier Cyclones of Iowa State.

“I wasn’t pleased from where I was sitting with some of our awareness to go clear out weak side,” UC coach Wes Miller said. “Shoot, we work on that every day in practice.”

UC must go against grain to gain key Big 12 road win

Welcome to the Big 12 where the home floor is a considerable advantage. Both teams are now 15-10 and fighting for relevancy with West Virginia’s Big 12 record (6-8) slightly better than UC’s (5-9).

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On Feb. 2, UC spotted the Mountaineers a 15-point halftime lead, then fell woefully short against West Virginia at Fifth Third Arena 63-50. UC had only one player in double figures as Day Day Thomas had 10 points. Jizzle James was held scoreless in 19 minutes and Aziz Bandaogo had just one basket in 18 minutes.

Since then UC has gone 3-1, with the Mountaineers just 1-3.

At WVU Coliseum last season, UC blew a 10-point lead with 6:22 remaining and was outscored 19-5 from there as the Mountaineers won 69-65. The Bearcats then beat West Virginia back-to-back on March 9 and March 12 scoring 182 points overall in those contests.

UC winning Wednesdays

UC is 3-0 this season with wins vs. Alabama State, at Colorado and at UCF. During Wes Miller’s four years with the Bearcats, they have enjoyed an 18-6 mark on Wednesday.

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3 keys for Cincinnati Bearcats basketball at West Virginia Mountaineers

1. UC’s mantra should be ‘Let’s get Small’

Javon Small led West Virginia with 19 points and nine assists Feb. 2 at Fifth Third Arena and last year helped Oklahoma State knock off the Bearcats at home. The senior has battled UCF’s Keyshawn Hall for the Big 12 scoring lead this season and averages 18.6 points per game. At Baylor, Small had 22 points and played 40 minutes.

Small has been held below double-digits just twice, with both coming in home losses vs. Houston and BYU. Obviously, that would be a goal for the Bearcats in Morgantown Wednesday.

2. Holding teams below 70 helps UC Bearcats chances

West Virginia has had just four losses at WVU Coliseum, all in the Big 12. Arizona beat them Jan. 7, 75-56 after beating UC by five. Arizona State beat them 65-57 Jan. 21 after losing to UC by seven. The Mountaineers lost to Houston at home, 63-49 Jan. 29 and to BYU Feb. 11 73-69 after the Bearcats beat the Cougars three days earlier by 18 points.

The common denominator is West Virginia was held below 70 points in all four losses.

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3. Winning boards should lead to winning games

UC beat West Virginia on the boards 33-31 Feb. 2, but dug themselves a 15-point hole at halftime and shot just 31%. In all of the West Virginia home losses, they were decisively outrebounded. UC will have to hold down 6-foot-8, 240-pound Amani Hansberry who pulled down 11 to lead both teams in their last game.

For motivation, the Bearcats are coming off a game on the glass at Iowa State where they were dominated 37-19.

“There’s always going to be some plays where they get you with size or positioning but I think we’re going to look at those possessions on tape and see an inability to clear out the weak side and go body-to-body,” Miller said.

Among UC’s rebounding deficiencies this season, Dan Skillings Jr. is more than two rebounds below his 6.4 average last season at 3.7 per game. Aziz Bandaogo, held to three rebounds at Iowa State, is also nearly two rebounds behind last year at 5.8 per game compared to 7.4 rebounds. Dillon Mitchell tops UC at 6.4 per game, but that’s more than a full rebound below his figures at Texas last year of 7.5 per game.

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Cincinnati Bearcats at West Virginia Mountaineers

Tip: 7 p.m. Wednesday (WVU Coliseum (14,000)

TV/Radio: ESPN2/700WLW

Series: Even 12-12 (West Virginia won 63-50 at Fifth Third Arena Feb. 2)

West Virginia Mountaineers scouting report

Record: 15-10 (6-8 Big 12)

Coach: Darrian DeVries (second year, 15-10)

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Offense: 69.4 ppg

Defense: 64.4 ppg

Projected starting lineup

(Position, Height, Stats)

Toby Okani (G, 6’8″, 8.9 ppg)

Jonathan Powell (G, 6’6″, 8.4 ppg)

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Javon Small (G, 6’3″, 18.6 ppg)

Amani Hansberry (F, 6’8″, 9.4 ppg)

Sencire Harris (G, 6’4″, 5.8 ppg)

Cincinnati Bearcats scouting report

Record: 15-10 (5-9 Big 12)

Coach: Wes Miller (fourth season, 78-53, overall 263-188)

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Offense: 72.1 ppg

Defense: 65.1 ppg

Projected starters

(Position, Height, Stats)

Simas Lukošius (G-F, 6’8″, 11.4 ppg)

Jizzle James (G, 6’3″, 12.2 ppg)

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Dillon Mitchell (F, 6’8″, 10 ppg)

Day Day Thomas (G, 6’1″, 8.4 ppg)

Aziz Bandaogo (C, 7′, 8.1 ppg)

Players to watch

Javon Small has had an impact at every school he’s played from East Carolina to Oklahoma State last season to the West Virginia Mountaineers. Small averages just over 18 points a game and has had a high game this season 31 against Gonzaga. Small leads the Mountaineers in points, assists and steals.

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UC’s James was held scoreless vs the Mountaineers in their last matchup, only the second time in his career that he didn’t score. Since then, his game has picked up and he seems to be playing with much more confidence. His games at Fifth Third Arena vs. BYU and Utah were his first back-to-back 20-plus-point games since the last two games of the NIT last March. He made it three when he scored 25 at No. 10 Iowa State, despite fouling out with nearly three minutes left.

Rankings

KenPom.com: West Virginia is No 46, Cincinnati is No. 54

NCAA.NET: West Virginia is No. 44, Cincinnati is No. 45



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West Virginia

Utility player Armani Guzman leads West Virginia into 2nd straight NCAA super regional

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Utility player Armani Guzman leads West Virginia into 2nd straight NCAA super regional


When West Virginia hit its lowest point of the season, utility player Armani Guzman was just getting started.

A blowout loss to Arizona in the Big 12 tournament semifinals sent regular-season champion West Virginia to its ninth loss in 13 games — a momentum-killing stretch at the worst possible time heading into the NCAA tournament.

Nearly forgotten from that game was a pair of late singles by Guzman in a pinch-hitting role. First-year coach Steve Sabins noticed, promoting the sophomore to a starting spot in the regional.

It was the spark the Mountaineers sorely needed.

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Batting last in the lineup, Guzman went 8 for 12 with six RBIs in three games and was named regional MVP. The Mountaineers (44-14) beat host Clemson once and Kentucky twice to advance to their second straight super regional starting Saturday at No. 6 national seed LSU (46-15).

“I bet there’s never been a nine-hole hitter been a tournament MVP,” Sabins said. “What he did was epic.”

Guzman had shown a flash of stardom earlier this season. In an April 1 game at Ohio State, he reached over the right-field wall to take away a home run, then threw out a runner at first base for a double play. He is West Virginia’s third-best hitter with a .337 average and leads the Mountaineers with 16 stolen bases.

West Virginia catcher Logan Sauve, left, fist bumps Griffin Kirn (54) during an NCAA regional college baseball game against Kentucky, May 30, 2025, in Clemson, S.C. Credit: AP/Sean Rayford

But from April 11 to May 22, Guzman was used sparingly as a defensive replacement and went just 1 for 8 at the plate.

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Guzman stayed patient until his turn came up again.

“His mentality has been so spot on,” Sabins said. “You want to talk about a confident guy that’s not arrogant. He is in such a strong place competing right now that he knows he’ll have success.”

Making his first start in nearly a month, Guzman hit a walk-off sacrifice fly in the ninth inning of a 4-3 win over Kentucky in the regional opener. In the clinching 13-12 win over the Wildcats on Sunday, the Mountaineers overcame deficits of 6-1 and 12-7. Guzman went 4 for 5 and his single in the eighth inning drove in the go-ahead run.

West Virginia infielder Ben Lumsden warms up before an NCAA...

West Virginia infielder Ben Lumsden warms up before an NCAA regional college baseball game against Kentucky, May 30, 2025, in Clemson, S.C. Credit: AP/Sean Rayford

“I was a guy who didn’t play the last month and a half, and I’m here in this position,” he said. “I think it’s a big confidence boost to each guy. The confidence that we have in each other is huge.”

Being used on defense in the outfield and at third base while often being inserted as a pinch hitter during the season, “I just try to be an athlete,” Guzman said. “Sabs talks about it all the time. His job is to place us where he thinks we best fit. My job is to play the game. So that’s all I do.”

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Clutch all around

As good as Guzman played, West Virginia needed all the gutsy individual performances it could get in the regional.

“That’s just the type of group we are,” said catcher Logan Sauve, who went 5 for 15 in the series. “We all stuck for each other and played for each other and wished for the kid behind us to do better than what we just did.”

Griffin Kirn threw 117 pitches over seven innings in the opener, then returned two days later to pitch the ninth inning in relief and earn the save in the clinching win.

Utility player Ben Lumsden, a starter a year ago who managed just four hits previously this season, started in place of veteran Grant Hussey at first base and had a breakout series in his home state with three hits and five RBIs.

Lumsden and Guzman “bought into the fact that regardless of results, the only path forward is to work,” Sabins said.

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Getting refocused

As a rookie head coach, Sabins, who took over for the retired Randy Mazey, saw new experiences throughout the season.

West Virginia opened with 13 straight wins, captured its first outright Big 12 regular-season championship and set a school record for wins.

But the final month of the season, when the losses were piling up, was mystifying. So team and individual meetings were held. Videos were reviewed. Highlight films were emphasized.

“We threw things into a fire and started over,” Sabins said.

He even tried to figure out different ways to conduct practices.

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“You try to keep it light and intense at the same time, and you try to push the right buttons every step of the way,” Sabins said.

Road confidence

West Virginia’s 24-5 road record is the best among teams in the super regionals.

At Clemson, the visitors’ bullpen is pinned in the left-field corner just a feet away from fans, and West Virginia’s pitchers heard relentless banter from the stands.

“I was thankful we played at Clemson because I thought that environment at Clemson was loud and pretty raucous,” Sabins said. “You had those kids in the bullpen that were like touching our guys warming up. So I think our guys will be prepared in that avenue.

“Our team will go into anybody that we play for the remainder of the season believing that we can win the game if we play good baseball.”

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West Virginia

This underrated vacation state has whitewater rafting, hiking trails, skiing and much more

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This underrated vacation state has whitewater rafting, hiking trails, skiing and much more


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  • West Virginia offers affordable and accessible outdoor activities for families, including hiking, biking, whitewater rafting and rock climbing.
  • The New River Gorge is a popular destination, with various lodging options ranging from camping to hotels.
  • West Virginia is a four-season destination, offering activities like skiing and viewing fall foliage in addition to warm-weather adventures.

“Family Travel” is a five-part series showcasing the best experiences and destinations for young families looking for an escape. If you’d like to contribute to our future reporting and share your experience as a source, you can click here to fill out this quick form. 

OAK HILL, West Virginia ‒ Extreme sports like whitewater rafting and rock climbing may seem like something best left to adults, but in West Virginia’s New River Gorge, outdoor adventure can easily be an activity for the whole family.

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Guided excursions can be tailored to everyone’s skill level and ability for those who want to go all-out, but there are less-extreme ways to get in touch with nature along one of the world’s oldest rivers, too. 

Here are just some of the reasons West Virginia should be on your list if you’re looking for a family-friendly outdoor vacation.

Why West Virginia is a great place for family outdoor adventure 

Affordability and accessibility are two of the big benefits to getting outside in West Virginia. 

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Hiking and biking trails in state and national parks are free to access for everyone who visits the state, but even for more intense guided excursions, the prices are a good deal. (There is also an entry fee for Harpers Ferry National Historic Park.) 

“We’re definitely one of the most affordable destinations,” Lindsey Funk, a public relations assistant at West Virginia Department of Tourism told USA TODAY on a recent visit. “Hiking is probably one of our most family-friendly activities.”  

Funk said there are plenty of short hikes, like the Endless Wall trail, which can be done in just a few hours, though guides are available for hire as well. 

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For more intense activities like whitewater rafting and rock climbing, families may prefer to hire a guide to keep things safe. 

“With a lot of those guided trips, like, in the Gorge specifically, you can kind of tailor it,” she said. “There’s a family-friendly option that’s more of afloat, and then there’s a more intense trip for more experienced people.” 

ACE Adventure Resort is one of the guide outfitters, and charges $99 per adult for a full-day guided family trip with rapids up to Class III on the New River. On that excursion, kids ages 6-11 go for free (one per full-fare adult), and youths ages 12 and up are charged $79.99.

For comparison, the Colorado Rafting Company charges $159 per person for a full-day guided excursion on the Colorado River. 

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Pricier and more intense excursions are also available. Depending on conditions, rapids in some sections of the New River can hit Class IV or higher.  

West Virginia is also home to professional circuit bike races and other events, which Funk said attracts spectators and encourages more families to try outdoor activities.

Where to go 

Outdoor adventures in West Virginia are available in many parts of the state, but the New River Gorge is certainly among the biggest draws with the most options for activities.  

Charleston, the state capital, is about an hour north of the National Park there, and other cities closer to the park include Fayetteville, Beckley and Hinton. 

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Where to stay and how to get there 

The closest major airport to the New River Gorge is in Charleston, WV. Amtrak also serves the area, and of course, cruising the country roads is an option as well. 

Funk said that families should think about what their lodging priorities are when they book, because there are options at all different price points from traditional tent camping to boutique hotels. Because the Gorge is so accessible from Charleston, staying in the city is a viable option, too. 

“The thing would be families to decide what they want their lodging to be like. If they’re wanting more of a remote cabin, then staying in in the Gorge is best. Whereas if they want more of these city options, they could stay (in Charleston) and just go to the Gorge for a day trip.” 

Four seasons of outdoor fun 

Funk said that outdoor adventures aren’t limited to the warmer weather months in West Virginia, either. 

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“The seasons is a big thing that we appreciate here and is interesting to a lot of other people that we are a four season destination,” she said. “We have beautiful fall foliage, but then we have ski resorts and snow in the winter, so people can try out a season-specific activity if they want to.”

This story was updated to refresh headlines.

The reporter on this story received access from West Virginia’s Department of Tourism. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com. 



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West Virginia just hit a solar milestone but there’s a major catch

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West Virginia just hit a solar milestone but there’s a major catch


The third of a quintet of West Virginia solar farms just came online, and while that’s a renewable milestone, there’s a disappointing hitch.

3 out of 5 West Virginia solar farms are online

FirstEnergy subsidiaries Mon Power and Potomac Edison have launched a 5.75 megawatt (MW), 17,000-panel solar farm at Marlowe in Berkeley County. The new solar farm sits on about 36 acres of land along I-81 and the Potomac River – land that used to store ash from the retired R. Paul Smith Power Station.

In 2022, FirstEnergy wrapped up a major cleanup effort, pulling more than 3 million tons of ash from the site to be reused in cement manufacturing. With the landfill officially closed, the company cleared the way to turn the former waste site into a clean energy generator as part of its solar program. Fifty-four local union workers constructed the solar farm, which features US-made solar panels, a racking system, and electrical equipment.

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It’s the third of Mon Power and Potomac Edison’s five solar farms that will generate up to 50 MW of clean energy combined. The companies completed their first solar farm at Fort Martin Power Station (18.9 MW) in early 2024, and their Rivesville solar site (5.5 MW) came online last fall. In total, the companies now have 30 MW of solar capacity.

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Electrek’s Take

Combined, the five projects will create more than 87,000 Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) available for purchase by customers for 4 cents per kilowatt hour in addition to normal rates. Aside from the essential benefit of cutting carbon emissions, there isn’t anything else in it for customers, apart from spending, on average, an extra $40 or so a month out of the goodness of your heart to go solar. Heck, you don’t even get a T-shirt.

Mon Power and Potomac Edison – why are customers being charged MORE to buy into solar in West Virginia? That’s a stick, not a carrot. (And WV? Coal’s not coming back. It doesn’t matter what Trump says.)

But solar growth anywhere is something to be cheerful about, and solar energy in coal-state West Virginia is progressing. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, as of Q4 2024, 205 MW of solar is installed in West Virginia. So, it’s no surprise that it’s at the bottom – it’s ranked 49th in the US for the amount of solar installed. However, it’s projected to reach 40th place over the next five years with 1,064 MW, so at least it’s expected to improve.

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To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and you share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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