CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin challenged Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear to a wager on Thursday night’s Kentucky-West Virginia matchup in the NCAA tournament Sweet 16.
A West Virginia upset would give Tomblin a selection of fine Kentucky bourbons. If the Wildcats continue their undefeated season, Tomblin will send Beshear a basket of West Virginia staples, including pepperoni rolls, spirits, and a commemorative Homer Laughlin china plate.
Tomblin wished both teams luck in advance of their game, which takes place at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland around 9:45 p.m. on Thursday. He hopes the fifth-seeded Mountaineers can pull off a historic upset.
“I look forward to joining fellow alumni, students and fans to cheer on the Mountaineers during what is sure to be a fast-paced and exciting game,” Tomblin said in a statement released Tuesday. “Although Kentucky is undefeated this season and is the top ranked team in the country, I have great confidence Coach Bob Huggins and the #PressVirginia defense will find a way to shut down the Wildcats’ high-powered offense.”
The Wildcats beat Cincinnati on Saturday, while the Mountaineers knocked off Maryland on Sunday to earn a place in the Sweet 16.
West Virginia faced Kentucky in the 2010 and 2011 NCAA tournaments, splitting those games.