West Virginia vs. Buffalo: College basketball game preview, TV schedule
West Virginia is on upset alert as one of the best mid-majors programs flies into Morgantown in the Buffalo Bulls. Can the Mountaineers remain unbeaten?
TV Schedule: Friday, November 9 at 9:00 PM/EST (ESPNU)
Location: WVU Coliseum (Morgantown, West Virginia)
No. 13 West Virginia may have hoped for a more painless game to commence its 2018-19 season. The Buffalo Bulls will head to Morgantown to face the Mountaineers in one of the most intriguing contests the first week of college basketball has to offer.
Buffalo is coming off a rather poor showing in a 15-point victory over St. Francis (PA). The Bulls struggled significantly from beyond the arc and were out-rebounded by the Red Flash. Davonta Jordan, Jeremy Harris, and Montell McRae combined for 21 points while shooting 8-of-26 from the field and had a mere five rebounds. The brightest spot in the box score came off the bench, as big man Nick Perkins, who likely didn’t start to rest, posted 16 points (8-12 from the field) and added nine rebounds.
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If Buffalo hopes to scare West Virginia, however, the Bulls must score more efficiently, and, chiefly, rebound better. The Mountaineers’ front court trio of Esa Ahmad (10.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG last season), Lamont West (9.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG last season), and Sagaba Konate (10.8 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.2 BPG last season) is one of the most dangerous in the country as all three are capable of grabbing ten or more rebounds in one night.
Buffalo, meantime, is more reliant on its backcourt. Senior C.J. Massinburg, who had an underwhelming 11 points in Buffalo’s opener, averaged 17 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season while senior Jeremy Harris posted 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Nick Perkins looks to be a very valuable piece down low for the Bulls this season, as he averaged 16.2 points and 6 rebounds per contest last season and was the most impressive for Buffalo in its opener.
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Although the Bulls weren’t overly impressive on Tuesday night, I have Buffalo pulling off the upset in Morgantown over the 11th-ranked Mountaineers. I’m very skeptical of who West Virginia’s go-to guy is and its depth is weak. Buffalo will need to adjust to WVU’s frightening press defense, but I feel the Bulls’ experience with all upperclassmen starters and talent, including potential MAC Player of the Year in Massinburg, will be able to do so.