Clash at WVU Coliseum: West Virginia Mountaineers Host Navy Midshipmen in Men's Basketball Showdown

As the West Virginia Mountaineers prepare to host the Navy Midshipmen at the WVU Coliseum, fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be an enthralling encounter in men's basketball. The Mountaineers, coming off a mixed bag of performances, have shown they can light up the scoreboard and will be looking to capitalize on their home-court advantage.

In their last outing on December 3 against Xavier Musketeers, WVU put up a valiant effort but fell short with a final score of 74-84. Despite this setback, there were positive takeaways from that game. The team demonstrated its scoring ability by sinking 47 percent from beyond the arc and maintaining a free throw percentage of 73. This level of shooting efficiency could prove vital against NAVY.

WVU's performance against Florida Gators on November 28 was more indicative of their potential. Dominating both halves, they secured an impressive victory with an 84-55 scoreline. Their defensive prowess was evident as they racked up five blocks and seven steals while also controlling the boards with a total rebound count of 49.

However, it was perhaps their game on November 26 against Portland State Vikings that showcased what this team is truly capable of when firing on all cylinders. Scoring an eye-catching 89 points and executing fast breaks that led to easy baskets contributed to a commanding win.

The key for WVU will be consistency; if they can replicate the form shown in these past games, particularly their high-scoring offense and solid defense from the Portland State victory, then fans can expect them to control proceedings against NAVY.

On the other side of the court stands Navy Midshipmen who should not be underestimated despite playing away from home. They'll come into this matchup aiming to disrupt WVU's rhythm and looking for any cracks in their armor that could be exploited.

Mountaineer fans should keep an eye out for how well WVU manages turnovers and assists-to-turnover ratio which has fluctuated over recent games but remains crucial for maintaining control over NAVY’s tactical approach.

The scheduled tip-off is set for December 8 at midnight at WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia. Fans eager not to miss any action should tune into ESPNU channel number 208 where all live coverage will unfold as these two teams battle it out on court.