Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Today, the 15th-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers open up the season against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits of the Summit League in the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic.
Here’s how our staff experts think the game will go down:
Clark Johnson, Football Analyst, The Voice of Motown (0-0 on the season): We made it – basketball is FINALLY here. It seems as if the Mountaineers have gone through twenty season-opening opponents in as many days, but no matter who they play, it is just good to have basketball back.
I expect this one to be a slug fest early, with South Dakota State trading blows with the Mountaineers. However, Bob Huggins’ crew is just too good. Expect West Virginia to pull away in the second half.
WVU 70 SDSU 55
Blain Smith, Host, The Porch Sessions Podcast and Live Show on The Voice of Motown: Deuce is the catalyst fueling a hot start for WVU that puts the Jackrabbits in a big hole. Oscar and Culver both pull down DOUBLE-DOUBLES before allowing Cottrell to get a few highlights late to make Mountaineer fans salivate. On to a Turkey Day matchup with likely VCU.
WVU 82 SDSU 64
Hank Steinmiller, Writer, The Voice of Motown (0-0 on the season): A season like we have never seen before could bring a lot of chaos. West Virginia will bring a lot of chaos, but I think the chaos starts in Game 1. I’ll prelude this by saying I believe in Huggins and believe this team is better than last season, but I just want it proven to me first. They will gel come conference play, but today, South Dakota State scores the upset.
SDSU 68 WVU 63
Brad Smith, Senior Writer/Owner, The Voice of Motown (0-0 on the season): South Dakota State is a prototypical NCAA Tournament-tough team that can upset any team in the country on any given day. They shoot well from the perimeter, they play good defense and they don’t make a lot of mistakes.
The Jackrabbits have a senior leader in 6’7 forward Douglas Wilson, the reigning Summit League Conference Player of the Year, and he is surrounded by very solid, experienced players that know their roles.
If SDSU can get hot from behind the three point line and West Virginia struggles, this could be a lot closer game than expected. This is a cohesive unit that won’t be intimidated by the Mountaineers.
With that said, West Virginia’s size, strength and depth should be enough to advance in the 1st round of the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic. Look for the game to remain close throughout the first half with the Mountaineers pulling away comfortably in the 2nd half.
WVU 76 SDSU 55
