Today's NCAA Picks: West Virginia Mountaineers vs Providence Friars
Sunday, February 05, 2012
by Joe Rodriguez
The West Virginia Mountaineers has lost three straight, the longest slide in coach Bob Huggins' five seasons at the helm. A game at last-place Providence Friars could be the perfect medicine, but it will be far from easy.
The Mountaineers have beaten the Friars seven straight times and 11 of the last 12, but are only 1-4 on the road this season in Big East play.
Providence is coming off an 11-point victory over Rutgers on Wednesday and plays much better basketball at home.
The key will be on the defensive end for Providence, dealing with the league's leading scorer and rebounder Kevin Jones along with talented big man Deniz Kilicli inside.
- West Virginia Mountaineers @ Providence Friars
When: 12:00 PM ET, Sunday, February 5, 2012
Where: Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence, Rhode Island
TV: 12 p.m. ET, Cox, SNY (Big East Network), ESPN3.com
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Justbet Sportsbook currently have the Mountaineers listed as 6-point favorites versus the Friars.
West Virginia Mountaineers (15-8): The Mountaineers have to play better defense to finish the regular season strong. West Virginia has allowed 47 percent shooting from the field in losing the last three. The Mountaineers have been good enough offensively and have a 6.3 rebounding margin, second in the Big East, led by Jones. The 6-foot-8 senior averages 20.9 points and 11.5 rebounds while shooting 53.9 percent from the field with 15 double-doubles. West Virginia needs better shooting from Darryl Bryant, who averages 17.0 points but makes 36.9 percent from the field.
Providence Friars (13-10): The Friars had five players in double figures for the third time this season in the 78-67 victory over Rutgers. If Providence is to make a run in the last month of the season, the Friars will have to augment their dangerous offense with smart play in other areas. Vincent Council averages 16.1 points and 7.6 assists (fourth in the nation) and coach Ed Cooley would take more efforts like his against Rutgers (11 points, 14 assists). Bryce Cotton averages 15.2 points and is shooting 41.4 percent from behind the 3-point arc.
1. Jones has scored 20 points or more in eight straight games, two short of tying the Mountaineers’ school record.
2. Providence center Bilal Dixon is coming off his first double-double of the season after doing it nine times his first two years.
3. Bryant is 12 for 47 from the field the last four games for West Virginia.
BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Mountaineers 76, Friars 68.
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bilal dixon - bryce cotton - darryl bryant - deniz kilicli - dunkin donuts center - ed cooley - kevin jones - providence friars - vincent council - west virginia mountaineers
