Pitt (7-2) vs. West Virginia (5-3)
TIPOFF: Noon Saturday (ESPN2) from Morgantown
Line: WVU favored by 11.5
KNOW THE FOE: Phase 2 of Jeff Capel’s head coaching career features a difficult rebuilding job at Pitt. The early returns looked promising until the Panthers lost to 2-4 Niagara on Monday. Their other loss was 69-68 at No. 14 Iowa. Such are the hot-and-cold streaks Capel can expect from a lineup that features three freshmen. Point guard Xavier Johnson (16.3 pts, 5.2 assists) is making 43 percent from 3, and 6-6 small forward Au’Diese Toney (9.6 pts, 6.9 rebs) reclassified to enter college a year early. The highest-ranked freshman is four-star guard Trey McGowens (10.2 pts). … Pitt also starts St, John’s transfer Malik Ellison (10.2 pts, 3.7 rebs, the son of Pervis Ellison. … Nine players average double-digure minutes, but only two are taller than 6-6, as Capel plays smallball.
WVU SKINNY: After watching its top four scorers shoot 6-for-35 at MSG, it’s a wonder WVU only lost to Florida by 10. … Esa Ahmad (15.4 pts) saw his steak of 10 double-figure scoring games snapped, Sagaba Konate (13.3 pts, 7.9 rebs) fouled out, Lamont West (12.3 pts) made one free throw and Beetle Bolden (11.5 pts) forced up bad shots while playing only 18 minutes. … Brandon Knapper (5.0 pts) hasn’t looked like the answer at point guard with 21 assists and 20 turnovers, and freshman Jordan McCabe played only 5 minutes vs. the Gators … Chase Harler (7.4 pts) made three late 3s and is emerging as the defacto glue guy for Bob Huggins. … Jermaine Haley (2.5 pts) gives WVU defensive length, but hasn’t done much passing or shooting on the offensive end. … Wes Harris (7.4 pts, 4.6 rebs), Andrew Gordon (3.8 pts, 1.9 rebs) and Logan Routt (3.3 pts, 2.8 rebs) give size to WVU, a team that despite its lackluster start, ranks 27th in KenPom.
ALLAN TAYLOR’S PICK: Even though both teams are coming off losses, the 186th edition of the Backyard Brawl promises to be spirited. Pitt’s first trip to Morgantown in seven seasons is a sellout, and I think WVU will make the home folks satisfied, 77-71.
(Picks record straight up: 6-2. Against the spread: 6-2)