A Sleeper Team
Widely considered the third-best team in the Big 12 halfway through the season, West Virginia really struggled in their final nine games of the year, going 3-6. They have really struggled on the road, with four of those six losses coming outside of Morgantown. Luckily for the Mountaineers, they ended their season on a positive note, winning their last two games against Iowa State and No. 3 Baylor.
Due to the struggle, they have fallen all the way down to the six seed in the Big 12 Tournament, but have the potential to play the spoiler role. Going up against Oklahoma in the first round, a loss for the Sooners could see them taken off the bubble and out of the NCAA Tournament.
In the second round, they are lined up to play Baylor, a team the Mountaineers beat a week ago. A loss for the Bears could see them off the one line and fall to a No. 2 seed on Selection Sunday next week.
Securely in the NCAA Tournament according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology, West Virginia will be playing with house money this week. If they pick up a first-round loss, they are still secure for the big dance. Anything else is a bonus, improving their seeding with each win they pick up.
West Virginia has made it to at least the semifinals in four consecutive Big 12 Tournaments. Bob Huggins knows how to advance in the postseason and will be looking to play spoiler this season.