Score Predictions for West Virginia vs No. 5 Texas

Our staff picks who will win tonight's game between the Mountaineers and the fifth-ranked Longhorns

The West Virginia Mountaineers (15-9, 4-7) are on the road to battle the fifth-ranked Texas Longhorns (19-5, 8-3) Saturday with tipoff set for noon EST and the action broadcasting on ESPN2. 

Schuyler Callihan: Texas 74, West Virginia 68

West Virginia has won one road game in Big 12 Conference play over the last two seasons. That lone win was against the worst team in the league this season, Texas Tech. The Longhorns are significantly better than the Red Raiders for one. And two, I don't know what WVU's answer will be for Marcus Carr, who led all scorers with 23 points in the first matchup.

For the Mountaineers to win this game, they're going to need to knock down some threes and dominate the paint. They allowed 32 points in the paint in the loss in Morgantown and although WVU's bigs have played better recently, they aren't consistent.

West Virginia is up at the half, but collapses late in the second half by being careless with the ball.

Christopher Hall: Texas 82 West Virginia 79

Texas sits atop the Big 12 standings. The Longhorns have not been dominant in their conference victories but nonetheless, continue to find ways to win and they've been nearly perfect at home this season with the only loss coming to Kansas State. However, they've since avenged the loss, returning the favor in Manhattan. 

West Virginia has won four of the last five games since losing to Texas in the first meeting. Erik Stevenson appears to have returned to form with two 30-point performances during that span, and forward Emmitt Matthews Jr. put up 20 points in the win over Iowa State.

The Mountaineers have improved but going on the road against a top five opponent is obviously a tough task. I think the Mountaineers keep it close but fall in the end 82-79.

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