ESPN has been showcasing all the hottest rivalries in America this week. To name a few they’ve shown the Border War (Mizzou-Kansas), Michigan-Ohio State and the Battle of Tobacco Road (Duke-UNC). This one should top those easily as the West Virginia Mountaineers try to avenge last December’s heart-shattering loss against the hated Pittsburgh Panthers at the Petersen Events Center.

The tipoff is set for 7PM on ESPN. Do yourself a favor and mute the TV since beloved Mountie-hater Len Elmore will be doing the game.

PITT BREAKDOWN:

• Pitt jumped right out the gate as they won the first 11 games of the season including an overtime victory against Duke at MSG. In that game senior Mike Cook suffered a devastating knee injury.
• In a humiliating road loss to Dayton, star point guard Levance Fields suffered a season-ending foot injury.
• Pitt is left with nine healthy scholarship players on the squad.
• They’re ranked 22nd with a record of 17-5 and 5-4 in the Big East.
• They are good but very beatable. Hell, even Big East doormat Rutgers laid the smackdown on the Panthers a week and a half ago @ Pittsburgh.

Who to watch out for:

1. What’s certainly going to trouble the ‘Eers is the muscle of junior Sam Young. Young leads the team with 18 points a game and has been known to play very well against Mountaineers in the past.
2. Expect freshman standout Deshaun Blair at 6-7, 265 pounds to get a double-double tonight. For the season he averages 12 points and 9.6 rebounds a game.
3. Keep an eye on sharp-shooting senior guards Keith Benjamin and Ronald Ramon behind the 3-pt line. They may dictate this game since WVU is likely to throw various zone defenses at them to try to offset the big guys near the hoop. For that to work the Eers must win the rebounding battle and prevent the offensive putbacks opportunities which are sure to be plenty.

The Mountaineer basketball team has had 4 days of rest to prepare for the Panthers. This is an important game since they are still on the bubble. A huge road win like Pitt would certainly please the tournament committee.

Also, Joe Alexander who has fully recovered from his groin pull, must step out and play big. Will Thoroughman come off the bench to help out Smalligan three minutes into the game? That will be interested to find out since we’ll need Smalligans height to cover Blair. WVU must play mistake-free basketball for 40 minutes. They went toe-to-toe with Georgetown to the end but can they do it tonight?

Good luck and GOOOOOOOOOOOO MOUNTAINEERS!