West Virginia vs Kentucky Preview
West Virginia is awaiting their biggest game of the season thus far, facing the Kentucky Wildcats. The Wildcats come into the game with a record of 35-2 on an eight-game winning streak. They are trying to bring back the old Kentucky Basketball program to be once again the “King” of College Basketball. There is just one problem. The West Virginia Mountaineers stand in there way.
The red-hot Mountaineers come into the game 30-6 with a nine-game winning streak including a Big East Tournament Title and three wins in the NCAA Tournament. Throughout the stretch, West Virginia has lost starting Point Guard Darryl Bryant for the season after breaking his foot in a Tuesday practice. Da’Sean Butler also had a scare after hurting his hand during the Mountaineers victory over the Washington Huskies in the Sweet 16.
This will be the only number one-seed vs number two-seed game in a Region Final this year. Both teams were able to escape the dramatic upsets this year as they are set and ready to play for a chance to make it to the Final Four.
First of all, West Virginia needs to do what they have been doing all year and that’s crashing the boards. They can’t start off the game like they did Thursday and expect to win. This is the main ingredient to the offense, to get second and third chance points. They have to come out the gates hot and not wait until five minutes in or so to start actually making some field goals. Also i see Thoroughman playing more to help out with Cousins and Patterson. Containing the big guys down low and keeping Wall in check needs to also be a priority. Attacking them in the paint on offense will be very beneficial to get them into foul trouble and for better chances of getting an offensive rebound. They will become out of sync without having their big body down in the paint.
The Mountaineers have not given up more than 59 points in six consecutive games. If their defense can make that seven consecutive games, then I really like the odds. It will be a tough task to complete as they average 79.6 point per contest.
West Virginia is looking to knock out the third number one-seed this year in the Tournament in a historic Mountaineer season thus far that has no intention to end until their is one team left standing.