West Virginia Mountaineers vs Georgetown Hoyas Picks and Predictions December 6th 2024

Hoyas Face Mountaineers in First Road Test of the Season

Georgetown Hoyas will leave the nation’s capital for the first time this season when they take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown, W.Va., on Friday as part of the Big 12-Big East Battle. Both teams enter the contest with momentum, albeit forged under vastly different circumstances.

West Virginia Builds Off Bahamas Success

West Virginia (5-2) is riding high after a thrilling 2-1 stretch at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. The Mountaineers upset then-No. 3 Gonzaga and then-No. 24 Arizona, with both victories coming in overtime, before falling to Louisville in a third consecutive overtime contest.

This unprecedented series of games has highlighted the grit and determination of a Mountaineers team led by first-year coach Darian DeVries.

“I’ve never been a part of three games like that,” DeVries said. “Just incredible resolve and grit and toughness from our group all three nights.”

Key Players for West Virginia

• Javon Small: The team’s leading scorer at 19 points per game, Small is a sharpshooter, hitting 41.3% of his 3-point attempts.
• Tucker DeVries: Adding 14.9 points per game while shooting 46.9% from deep, DeVries provides consistent offensive support.

Their contributions will be critical as West Virginia looks to build on their high-energy performances and capitalize on home-court advantage.

Georgetown’s Deliberate Build-Up to Road Play

Georgetown (7-1) has enjoyed a strong start to the season, winning five straight games by an average of 25.2 points since a loss to Notre Dame on Nov. 16. Head coach Ed Cooley has carefully structured the Hoyas’ schedule to foster confidence and chemistry among a young roster, featuring 14 freshmen and sophomores.

“We systematically scheduled this way to build confidence, continuity, and chemistry,” Cooley said. “That’s something hopefully that will have some carryover as we now get ready to head out on the road for the first time.”

Key Players for Georgetown

• Thomas Sorber: The Big East Freshman of the Week for the third time in four weeks, Sorber leads the team in scoring (15.8 PPG) and the conference in rebounding (8.9 RPG).
• Jayden Dupree: A consistent presence on both ends of the court, Dupree has emerged as a key contributor during the Hoyas’ winning streak.

The Hoyas’ youthful energy and Sorber’s dominance inside will be tested against a seasoned Mountaineers squad.

Historic Rivalry Rekindled

Friday’s game is the 54th meeting between these former conference rivals, with Georgetown holding a slight edge in the all-time series, 27-26. The rivalry dates back to their Big East days, where the two programs faced off 27 times between 1995 and 2012.

The Mountaineers’ lone Big East Championship came in 2010 when they defeated the Hoyas 60-58 at Madison Square Garden.

What’s at Stake?

For West Virginia, this game is an opportunity to continue building momentum after their impressive Bahamas performances. A win would showcase their resilience and ability to handle diverse styles of play.

Georgetown faces its first true road test, and a victory would validate the deliberate approach Ed Cooley has taken in developing his young team. A strong showing in Morgantown could solidify the Hoyas as legitimate contenders in the Big East.

Key Matchup to Watch

• Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber vs. West Virginia’s Defense: Sorber’s inside dominance will be a focal point. The Mountaineers must contain his rebounding and second-chance opportunities.
• West Virginia’s Three-Point Attack vs. Georgetown’s Perimeter Defense: With Small and DeVries firing from deep, Georgetown will need to step up its perimeter defense to limit West Virginia’s long-range scoring.

Check out the latest John Wooden Award Odds & Predictions for detailed analysis and updates.

Prediction

This game promises to be a high-energy contest with contrasting styles — Georgetown’s young, physical play against West Virginia’s gritty, veteran-led approach. With home-court advantage and confidence from their Bahamas run, the Mountaineers have a slight edge.

Fans can expect an intense, closely contested game that hearkens back to the best days of this classic rivalry.