West Virginia VCU GAME DAY PREDICTIONS

Sioux Falls, South Dakota – The #15 West Virginia Mountaineers, 1-0, will face the VCU Rams today in the 2nd round of the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic.  Here’s how our staff experts think today’s game will play out:

Clark Johnson, Football Analyst, The Voice of Motown (1-0 on the season):  WVU didn’t play the best they possibly could last night, but a win is a win.  Today, against VCU, I expect a much more complete game from the Mountaineers.  McBride will have another 20+ point effort, and Tshiebwe will come alive.  West Virginia wins by double digits.

WVU 85 VCU 65

 

Blain Smith, Host, The Porch Sessions Podcast and Live Show on The Voice of Motown(1-0 on the season):  VCU absolutely locked in and locked down a seasoned Utah State Aggie squad in the 2nd half of last night’s opener for both teams.  The Rams shot it well from behind the arc (41.7%) while limiting Utah State to 4-17 from 3.  Typically you’d expect these numbers to regress closer to the mean in the next game.

This worries me considering WVU settled for 32, yes 32 attempts from 3 (making only 25%).  Huggs was less than pleased with this development, and the message will be received with a heavy dose of paint touches today.

Expect a MONSTER bounce back effort from the Big O and a consistent Culver as both will be highly active on the glass.  Rebounding could and should be a huge advantage for WVU.  Not to mention this is another area Huggs will want to see improve.

VCU will want to play a style of basketball that WVU has no problem playing and perhaps might be better playing than the the Rams.  Huggins will have all eyes on #5 Hyland after his 23 point effort and have a few tricks up his sleeve to slow him down.  One trick just might be Gabe Osabuohien who will be an X Facor as he always seems to be on the defensive end.

This game may get chippier than conversations with your in-laws at the table on Thanksgiving and will make victory in this hard fought battle sweeter than that slice of pumpkin pie topped with CoolWhip.

WVU 75 VCU 67

 

Brad Smith, Senior Writer/Owner, The Voice of Motown (1-0 on the season):  VCU is a very, very average team that West Virginia should easily handle today.

In VCU’s opening game against Utah State, Nah’Shon Hyland led the Rams, scoring 23 points while shooting 50% from the field and 50% from three point range.  Outside of Hyland, the roster was almost entirely overturned with new players this season.  Junior forward Vince Williams had a strong game last night, scoring 15 points while adding five rebounds and 4 assists. The Rams shot 41.7 percent from three point range and 86.4 percent from the free throw line.

West Virginia’s size and depth should again be too much for VCU.  VCU is undersized and starts three guards.  If West Virginia can get the ball to the basket – something they did not do in the opening round against South Dakota State – and make perimeter shots, they shouldn’t have any problem getting by VCU today.

WVU 71 VCU 51

Previous articleWho is VCU?
Next articleThankful for Gabe Osabuohien
Brad Smith, "The Voice of Morgantown", is the most trusted, accomplished name in West Virginia sports journalism. Smith is the foremost, preeminent authority on West Virginia athletics and a lifelong fan of the Mountaineers. Smith, a proud graduate of West Virginia University, resides in Morgantown most of the year, but has a home in Jacksonville, Florida, where he lives during the winter.