Score Predictions for West Virginia vs. Penn

The Mountaineers Now staff make their predictions for the West Virginia, Penn matchup

The West Virginia Mountaineers (3-0) host the University of Pennsylvania Quakers (1-3) Friday night at 7:00 p.m. with action streaming on ESPN+.

Schuyler Callihan: West Virginia 77, Penn 57

As WVU head coach Bob Huggins mentioned the other day, Penn likes to play ball control and likes to slow the game down. If WVU decides to play to their pace, this game will be much closer than it really should be. I think we'll see a rather similar start to this one as we did a few nights ago in the Morehead State game. West Virginia will begin knocking down shots in the second half and lock in defensively to pull away with a decisive win.

The Mountaineers have done a nice job on the defensive end of the floor, allowing 58, 56, and 57 points in their first three games. That trend continues Friday night.

Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Christopher Hall: West Virginia 79, Penn 58

The Quakers are the Ivy League preseason favorites. However, they've started the season 1-3 with losses to a Rick Pitino-led Iona Gaels, a tough seven-point loss at Mizzou and a head-scratching home-opening loss to Towson but Penn did bounce back Tuesday with a win over crosstown rival Drexel Tuesday night. 

Penn has a pair of talented guards led by Jordan Dingle. He is averaging 19.8 points per game while his counterpart Jordan Slajchert is producing 15.0 ppg and is shooting 60% (9-15) from behind the arc in his last three games. 

This will be another solid test for the Mountaineers, and this could fall under the category of a trap game if WVU is not careful looking ahead to next week's holiday tournament beginning with Purdue. 

West Virginia will win this game, but I suspect Penn will stay within striking distance for most of the game, but the Mountaineers will pull away for a comfortable win, 79-58.

You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us Twitter:

Facebook - @MountaineersNow

Twitter - @MountaineersNow and Schuyler Callihan @Callihan_ and Christopher Hall @WVHallBilly