West Virginia Mountaineers vs
Pittsburgh PanthersPredictions & Preview

Pittsburgh Panthers Favored in 191st Backyard Brawl Against West Virginia, Game Preview and Predictions

The 191st installment of the Backyard Brawl will feature West Virginia and Pitt, both coming off recent victories. West Virginia has a 2-0 record, with 1-1 ATS, while Pitt stands at 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS. The game will take place at the Peterson Events Center with an 8:00 EST tipoff. Pittsburgh opens as the favorite at -7.5, and the line remains unchanged. Stay tuned for our detailed breakdown and predictions for this anticipated matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Mountaineers +260 | Panthers -350
• Spread: Mountaineers +7.5 (-110) | Panthers -7.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 149 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Pittsburgh will win straight-up is 78%.

West Virginia vs Pittsburgh Stats

West Virginia Mountaineers

After a strong start to the season, the Mountaineers faced a tough challenge in their last game, managing to secure a win despite being outscored in the second half. The team shot just 36.8% from the field but did well from beyond the arc and the free-throw line. The defense held UMass to 41.7% shooting and forced numerous turnovers. Overall, West Virginia's offense has been strong, averaging 81 points per game on 46.2% shooting. The defense has also been solid, holding opponents to 64 points per game. Tucker DeVries has been a standout player, leading the team in scoring and making significant contributions in rebounds, assists, and steals. The team's power ranking is 238, with a ranking of 169 in offense and 110 in defense. They are currently 2-0 for the season.

Pittsburgh Panthers Analysis

The Pittsburgh Panthers are off to a strong start this season, winning their first three games and showing dominance on both offense and defense. In their latest victory, they displayed solid shooting, strong defense, and balanced scoring from multiple players. Leading the team is Ishmael Leggett, who is averaging nearly 20 points and 8 rebounds per game. Overall, the Panthers have a high-powered offense, shooting well from the field and beyond the arc, while also excelling on defense with a low opponent shooting percentage and strong rebounding. They are currently ranked 7th in power rankings and are proving to be a force to be reckoned with in college basketball. Their next matchup against West Virginia will be a test of their skills and a chance to continue their winning streak.

Pittsburgh Panthers Primed for Victory in Backyard Brawl Against West Virginia

In the previous season's matchup, Pitt secured an 80-63 win on the road as -3.5 favorites. Both teams showed promise in the first week of play, although they did not face formidable opponents. Upon analyzing both teams, a notable concern arose regarding West Virginia's performance in the second half of their recent game. It is imperative that they address this issue before facing Pitt. While the Mountaineers are unlikely to establish a significant halftime lead over the Panthers, Pitt appears stronger on both offense and defense. Additionally, Pitt boasts a deeper roster, allowing their key players more rest during games. Until West Virginia expands their player rotation, they may struggle in the latter parts of games. Considering Pitt's track record in recent encounters with West Virginia and their superior team depth, it is advisable to support the Panthers. Pitt has covered the spread in 5 out of the last 9 Backyard Brawl matchups.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ]