Opinion
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Can the Mountaineers Overcome the Baylor Bears at WVU Coliseum?

As the West Virginia Mountaineers gear up to face the Baylor Bears in an electrifying showdown at WVU Coliseum, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The Mountaineers have been on a rollercoaster ride this season, but their recent performance suggests they're hitting their stride at just the right time.


Feb 13, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard LJ Cryer (4) runs the offense against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

In their last game on December 23rd against Toledo Rockets, WVU showcased a dominant offense, racking up 91 points and shooting an impressive 52 percent from the field. Their two-point shooting was particularly effective, with a stunning 62 percent success rate that helped them secure victory. The team's ability to distribute the ball was evident as they tallied up 17 assists while maintaining control of possession with only nine turnovers.


However, it wasn't just about offense; defensively, they held strong too. With four blocks and five steals contributing to their defensive efforts, WVU demonstrated that they could disrupt opponents' plays effectively.


Feb 13, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard LJ Cryer (4) spots up for a 3-point shot against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

The game before that against Radford Highlanders on December 21st was tighter for WVU. Despite shooting well from inside (52 percent two-point percentage), struggles beyond the arc (19 percent three-point percentage) nearly cost them dearly. They managed to eke out a win by one point in a nail-biter finish.


Looking back further to December 16th against UMass Minutemen provides insight into another facet of this team's character: resilience. After trailing at halftime and facing foul trouble which led to one player fouling out entirely, WVU surged back in the second half with an explosive offensive performance including an outstanding 45 percent three-point shooting display.


Feb 13, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers forward Jimmy Bell Jr. (15) shoots over Baylor Bears forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua (23) during the first half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

These past performances paint a picture of a team that has depth and versatility – qualities they'll need when facing Baylor Bears' robust lineup. BAY comes into this matchup as formidable opponents who will test every aspect of WVU's game plan.


For fans looking for keys to victory for West Virginia Mountaineers: keep an eye on how effectively they can maintain their interior scoring efficiency while also finding more consistency from long range. Additionally, limiting turnovers will be crucial against BAY’s aggressive defense which is known for capitalizing on mistakes.


The upcoming battle promises excitement and is set for February 17th at 6:00 PM EST in Morgantown's very own WVU Coliseum – home advantage could play its part too! Fans won't want to miss what promises to be a thrilling encounter between these two teams vying for supremacy on court.


Catch all the action live on ESPN2 channel number 209; it’s where every bounce of the ball will echo through West Virginia hearts hoping for another memorable win in front of their passionate supporters.

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