BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: WEST VIRGINIA @ DEPAUL

February 27, 2008


DePaul has lost seven of their last eight games and their closing schedule is not doing them any favors as they cling to their hopes for a berth in the Big East Conference Tournament at Madison Square Garden.

West Virginia has won three of their last four games, rebounding from a stretch of losing three of four. However, they have struggled on the road this season, especially when it comes to scoring points away from home, and with three of their last four games on the road the Mountaineers have some work to do to gain an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Here are the local media pregame stories and previews on tonight's contest:

WVU Makes First Trip to DePaul (Daily Mail)
DePaul Men's Basketball Team to Face WVU (Chicago Tribune)
WVU Ready for DePaul (WV Metro News)

DePaul got off to a quick start in the Big East schedule, but they have wilted down the stretch, losing seven of their last eight. With a tough finishing schedule, chances for wins to close out their schedule are not great, so winning tonight may represent their best chance. They have a precarious one-game lead for the final Big East Tournament spot. A win tonight could virtually assure them of making the conference party to close the season.

West Virginia closes with three of four games on the road and a home date with Pittsburgh on Big Monday. Winning three of their last four has put the Mountaineers back on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble according to many, but they still could use wins, especially away from home, which they do not own many that would impress many on the NCAA Selection Committee.

Athletically, DePaul matches up favorably with West Virginia. However, it will once again fall on their guards to delover the ball to their scoring threats in position to score. Draelon Burns has the green light to fire up shots, but they are more effective as a team when Mac Koshwal is getting touches, and finishing, and Dar Tucker is attacking the basket. Will Walker has developed into a reliable scoring option to give Burns some needed help on the perimter, but the Blue Demons still do not play consistently for 40 minutes to win games.

Bob Huggins has challenged his WVU squad on several occassion to become tougher. They did what was needed in getting wins over Rutgers, Seton Hall and Providence, all at home. The only blemish in the stretch was getting blown out against Villanova, now they need to find a way to have success on the road when they meet DePaul.

West Virginia has two Big East road wins, against South Florida and Providence, two of the teams behind DePaul in the standings. The match-ups of these two teams seem to be pretty even athletically and DePaul holds the edge with size and the Mountaineers have the edge with guard play behind Darris Nichols, Joe Mazzulla and Alex Ruoff. If that trio can find the range from the perimeter, WVU will be tough to beat tonight.

However, if Depaul is going to win again this season, tonight will have to be the night. I am sure they will put up a fight againt Notre Dame over the weekend in the home finale, but the losing that has piled up should get them to respond tonight and pull the surprise. I am a little surprised that they are such a large home underdog (+5) and expect them to extend WVU's road struggles.

NBE Blogger Prediction: DePaul 73 West Virginia 70