04-02-2026, 06:39 AM
This one feels to me like the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl of NCAA basketball. In that memorable game, played 3 weeks after their final regular season games, Washington State beat Utah State 34-21. In situations like these (long layoff, low stakes), I believe that player motivation can be a brobdingnagian factor.
Stanford is favored by 1.5, the over/under is 135.5 - implied score is 68.5-67. NET, KenPom, Bart Torvick, & ESPN BPI ratings, respectively are: WVU - 59, 63, 65, & 48; Stanford - 61, 62, 62, & 74. So let's hope the ESPN BPI is JUST BS.
If you can't recall a previous match-up with the Mountaineers you're not alone. The last time Stanford played WVU was in the LA Classic on December 28, 1959. WVU was #2 in the nation and was led by Jerry West. Not surprisingly, Stanford lost 66-47.
This season, the Mountaineers are 18-14, 9-9 in the Big 12, 0-5 in neutral court games. In competition with ACC teams, they beat Pitt 71-49 at home in November, then lost to Clemson 70-60 & Wake Forest 75-66 in neutral court games. Like Stanford, they have 5 Quad 1 wins. They have a first year coach, Russ Hodge, who came from North Texas. Their entire roster is new to WVU this season - with the exception of one redshirt freshman. The roster includes 7 freshmen (2 redshirts), 1 junior, 6 seniors, & 1 5th-year.
WVU ranks 18th (of 365) in defensive efficiency. A scouting report says they flood the lane & force skip passes across the floor, and that they do a terrific job closing out on shooters. On the other hand, they are 177th in offensive efficiency. For comparison, Stanford ranks 80th on defense & 67th on offense.
Starting line-up in 31 of their 32 games has been:
#3 Honor Huff (5'10"/165 Sr G) Leading scorer (15.8 ppg). According to the scouting report, he plays off the ball, is an elite scorer, and - as he goes, WVU goes. Hoisted up 308 3s (and only 73 2s - hitting 35.4% of both), which is over 40% of the team attempts. All Big-12 HM. Plays 35.5 minutes/game.
#0 Brenen Lorient (6'9"/215 Sr F) 11.6ppg. Came from North Texas (with Coach Hodge) where he was All AAC 1st team and 6th man of the year.
#52 Treyson Eaglestaff (6"6"/205 Sr G) 9.5 ppg
#1 Jasper Floyd (6'3"/195 Sr G) Leads team with 3.2 assists/game & 1.9 steals/game. Also cane from North Texas & is at his 4th school.
#55 Harlan Obioha (7'0"/265 Sr C)
Only 3 other players played in their most recent game, and one of them had shoulder surgery yesterday. The other two are:
#13 Chance Moore (6'6"/210 5th G) 10.3 ppg. Leads team with 5.3 rebounds/game - and plays more minutes than Obioha, the 7-footer.
#5 DJ Thomas (6'9/225 Fr F)
This game seems like a good match-up, but to me it's really unpredictable after such a long lay-off. If Stanford can get a win, they will play on Saturday vs. the winner of Creighton & Rutgers. The championship game is on Sunday. The short format (3 games in 4 or 5 days) could favor teams with deeper rotations, which might give Stanford a bit of a boost.
Looking at the entire field and their NET/KenPom/Torvik/BPIratings:
Oklahoma - 48/41/37/41
Baylor - 50/51/47/44
WVU - 59/63/65/48
Stanford - 61/62/62/74
Minnesota - 81/76/57/70
Creighton - 83/74/83/63
Colorado - 76/72/81/92
Rutgers - 134/122/113/109
In yesterday's games, both favorites won - Oklahoma over Colorado (in OT) & Baylor over Minnesota. Stanford is favored by less than either of those were, but hopefully they can continue the trend.
Who will wear the Crown???
Stanford is favored by 1.5, the over/under is 135.5 - implied score is 68.5-67. NET, KenPom, Bart Torvick, & ESPN BPI ratings, respectively are: WVU - 59, 63, 65, & 48; Stanford - 61, 62, 62, & 74. So let's hope the ESPN BPI is JUST BS.
If you can't recall a previous match-up with the Mountaineers you're not alone. The last time Stanford played WVU was in the LA Classic on December 28, 1959. WVU was #2 in the nation and was led by Jerry West. Not surprisingly, Stanford lost 66-47.
This season, the Mountaineers are 18-14, 9-9 in the Big 12, 0-5 in neutral court games. In competition with ACC teams, they beat Pitt 71-49 at home in November, then lost to Clemson 70-60 & Wake Forest 75-66 in neutral court games. Like Stanford, they have 5 Quad 1 wins. They have a first year coach, Russ Hodge, who came from North Texas. Their entire roster is new to WVU this season - with the exception of one redshirt freshman. The roster includes 7 freshmen (2 redshirts), 1 junior, 6 seniors, & 1 5th-year.
WVU ranks 18th (of 365) in defensive efficiency. A scouting report says they flood the lane & force skip passes across the floor, and that they do a terrific job closing out on shooters. On the other hand, they are 177th in offensive efficiency. For comparison, Stanford ranks 80th on defense & 67th on offense.
Starting line-up in 31 of their 32 games has been:
#3 Honor Huff (5'10"/165 Sr G) Leading scorer (15.8 ppg). According to the scouting report, he plays off the ball, is an elite scorer, and - as he goes, WVU goes. Hoisted up 308 3s (and only 73 2s - hitting 35.4% of both), which is over 40% of the team attempts. All Big-12 HM. Plays 35.5 minutes/game.
#0 Brenen Lorient (6'9"/215 Sr F) 11.6ppg. Came from North Texas (with Coach Hodge) where he was All AAC 1st team and 6th man of the year.
#52 Treyson Eaglestaff (6"6"/205 Sr G) 9.5 ppg
#1 Jasper Floyd (6'3"/195 Sr G) Leads team with 3.2 assists/game & 1.9 steals/game. Also cane from North Texas & is at his 4th school.
#55 Harlan Obioha (7'0"/265 Sr C)
Only 3 other players played in their most recent game, and one of them had shoulder surgery yesterday. The other two are:
#13 Chance Moore (6'6"/210 5th G) 10.3 ppg. Leads team with 5.3 rebounds/game - and plays more minutes than Obioha, the 7-footer.
#5 DJ Thomas (6'9/225 Fr F)
This game seems like a good match-up, but to me it's really unpredictable after such a long lay-off. If Stanford can get a win, they will play on Saturday vs. the winner of Creighton & Rutgers. The championship game is on Sunday. The short format (3 games in 4 or 5 days) could favor teams with deeper rotations, which might give Stanford a bit of a boost.
Looking at the entire field and their NET/KenPom/Torvik/BPIratings:
Oklahoma - 48/41/37/41
Baylor - 50/51/47/44
WVU - 59/63/65/48
Stanford - 61/62/62/74
Minnesota - 81/76/57/70
Creighton - 83/74/83/63
Colorado - 76/72/81/92
Rutgers - 134/122/113/109
In yesterday's games, both favorites won - Oklahoma over Colorado (in OT) & Baylor over Minnesota. Stanford is favored by less than either of those were, but hopefully they can continue the trend.
Who will wear the Crown???
