How Far Will WVU Go? ESPN BPI Gives Round-by Round Chances
After a one year absence, the West Virginia Mountaineers have returned to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 9 seed in the South Region. They will take on No 8 Maryland in the first round on Thursday with the winner moving on to likely face No. 1 Alabama.
Thanks to a slow start to the conference schedule, WVU won't have an easy path in the big dance, but how much of a chance do they have to make it to Houston for the Final Four?
The ESPN BPI has listed out its percentages for each round for every team. Here's WVU's chances to advance.
Advance to Round of 32: 49%
Potential opponents: 1. Alabama, 16. Texas A&M CC/SE Missouri State.
Advance to Sweet 16: 9.7%
Potential opponents: 4. Virginia, 5. San Diego State, 12. Charleston, 13. Furman.
Advance to Elite 8: 5.4%
Potential opponents: 2. Arizona, 3. Baylor, 6. Creighton, 7. Missouri, 10. Utah State, 11. NC State, 14. UC Santa Barbara, 15. Princeton.
Advance to Final 4: 2.5%
Potential opponents: 1. Purdue, 2. Marquette, 3. Kansas State, 4. Tennessee, 5. Duke, 6. Kentucky, 7. Michigan State, 8. Memphis, 9. Florida Atlantic, 10. USC, 11. Providence, 12. Oral Roberts, 13. Louisiana, 14. Montana State, 15. Vermont, 16. Texas Southern/Fairleigh Dickinson.
Advance to National Championship: 0.8%
Potential opponents: 1. Houston, 2. Texas, 3. Xavier, 4. Indiana, 5. Miami (FL), 6. Iowa State, 7. Texas A&M, 8. Iowa, 9. Auburn, 10. Penn State, 11. Mississippi State/Penn State 12. Drake, 13. Kent State, 14. Kennesaw State, 15. Colgate, 16. Northern Kentucky.
1. Kansas, 2. UCLA, 3. Gonzaga, 4. UConn, 5. Saint Mary's, 6. TCU, 7. Northwestern, 8. Arkansas, 9. Illinois, 10. Boise State, 11. Arizona State/Nevada, 12. VCU, 13. Iona, 14. Grand Canyon, 15. UNC Asheville, 16. Howard.
Win National Championship: 0.2%
You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us on Twitter:
Facebook - @MountaineersNow
Twitter - @MountaineersNow and Schuyler Callihan at @Callihan_.
