[2:00 PM] #25 West Virginia @ #6 Virginia

Who will WIN this matchup?

#25 West Virginia Mountaineers (5-1)

@ #6 Virginia Cavaliers (7-0)

 

• The line for this game is Virginia by 8 points.

• Sixth-ranked Virginia showed it has the ability to rally from a double-digit margin against a strong team last time out and gets a major ball handling test Saturday when No. 19 West Virginia pays a visit for the first time in 41 years. The Cavaliers trailed by as many as 16 points in the first half before battling back to beat Ohio State 63-61 on Wednesday, and faces a West Virginia team that leads the nation in turnovers forced.

• The Cavaliers lead the nation in scoring defense (44.1) and stood fourth in field-goal percentage defense (33.1) even after Ohio State registered 32 points in the paint on Wednesday. Virginia must win with a collective effort on the offensive end but will need consistent productivity from Perrantes, who averages team highs of 10.6 points and four assists while draining 14-of-35 beyond the arc. Junior guard Marial Shayok, who is second on the team in scoring (9.3), has averaged five points in his last three outings after scoring 12.5 per game the first four.

• The Cavaliers have won 24 straight home games and welcome the Mountaineers to Charlottesville for the first time since 1975 when Virginia won 87-79.

• The Mountaineers have won seven of their last nine games against ACC teams, but Virginia leads the all-time series 9-8 after a 70-54 win last December.

• West Virginia junior G Jevon Carter leads the team with 18 steals as 14 different players have at least one.

StreakSmarts Pick: Virginia Cavaliers

Confidence: 5/10

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