Score Predictions for West Virginia vs. UMass

Our staff picks tonight's game between the Mountaineers and Minutemen.

The West Virginia Mountaineers (4-5) face the UMass Minutemen (5-2) Saturday evening in the Hall of Fame Classic. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. and the action will broadcast on ESPN2.

Schuyler Callihan: West Virginia 73, UMass 68.

This will be an interesting game for a lot of reasons. Josh Eilert goes up against his former boss in Frank Martin, it's part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, and Kerr Kriisa, RaeQuan Battle, and Noah Farrakhan will make their season debuts.

It's not going to be an immediate turnaround where they look like a top five or six team in the Big 12 all of a sudden, but the additions of those three should help the Mountaineers be more competitive throughout the duration of the game. 

The Minutemen really struggle on the glass and will have a difficult time handling the size and length of Jesse Edwards. The pick and roll game between Kriisa and Edwards cause UMass a lot of problems and leads to several open shooters on the perimeters. 

West Virginia wins after falling behind in the first half.

Christopher Hall: West Virgina 78, UMass 77

West Virginia has its roster intact for the first time this season and is looking to catch up to the rest of college basketball. Point guard Kerr Kriisa returns to the lineup after serving a nine-game suspension and guards RaeQuan Battle and Noah Farrakhan are now eligible to play this season. 

While the talent returns to the court, team chemistry will take time and there will be little room for error against a Frank Martin led UMass program. 

Both squads are led by the front court. Forwards Josh Cohen and Matt Cross lead the Minutemen in scoring and rebounding, combining for 34.1 points and 15.6 rebounds per game while Quinn Slazinski is averaging a team-high 17.0 ppg and center Jesse Edwards averages 16.2 ppg and a team-best 7.6 rpg. 

However, the game will come down to guard play, and while on paper the Mountaineers may have an advantage, they will have to shake the rust off quickly to grab a win over a tough defensive squad. 

West Virginia will need to take care of the ball and it starts with Kriisa remaining patient on the offensive end and he will need to be a threat to score, while Battle looks to provide a much-needed offensive spark. 

The front court may lead in the stat box, but the guard play will be the difference. The Mountaineers find backcourt leadership and gut out a last-minute win 78-77.

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