Listen Now: Morning News

In latest bracketology, ESPN’s Lunardi has WVU among ‘last four in’

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — According to the latest projection by ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi, West Virginia sits on the good side of the NCAA bubble.

Lunardi listed West Virginia as the last team in the field Thursday. Now, it’s up to the Mountaineers to stay there.

Though projections are sure to change daily from now through Selection Sunday on March 16, Lunardi’s current bracket would have WVU reporting to Dayton, Ohio, for one of the opening-round play-in games.

In the above audio clip from Thursday, Lunardi commits an error: Giving West Virginia the benefit of a 7-4 league record when it actually is 7-5. But he submits that if he season ended today, Bob Huggins’ team would be the seventh Big 12 team in the tournament.

Of course the season doesn’t end today, and if West Virginia (15-10) is to maintain its .600 winning pace, it would need a strong finishing kick—say, winning four of six to close the regular season and splitting two games at the Big 12 tournament.

On Huggins’ weekly radio show later Thursday night, the coach optimistically said he expects the conference to receive seven bids.

The Mountaineers are 3-8 against the RPI top 50 and 4-8 against the top 100 heading into Saturday night’s game at No. 19-ranked Texas, which sports an RPI of 22.

Currently tied for fourth with Oklahoma in the conference, West Virginia would earn a first-round bye in the Big 12 tournament by finishing sixth or higher.





More WVU Sports

Sports
Greene strives for improved accuracy through extra emphasis on fundamentals, mechanics
West Virginia quarterback Garett Greene felt he could've gotten more out of the 2023 season, and his completion percentage is a major reason why.
March 27, 2024 - 7:58 pm
Sports
Photo gallery: Mountaineers conduct second practice of spring football
West Virginia was outside Wednesday morning for its second practice during the first week of spring football.
March 27, 2024 - 2:54 pm
Sports
DeVries starts with $2.8 million salary over five-year deal
Compensation for new WVU men's basketball coach increases $100,000 on annual basis.
March 27, 2024 - 1:41 pm
Sports
Jamison steals home, sparks Mountaineers in 6-2 win against Akron
West Virginia claims third straight win, improves to 15-10.
March 27, 2024 - 12:31 am


Your Comments