Last year, an overrated Va Tech group came into Morgantown undefeated and left with their first loss. This year, the Hokies have to deal with the loss of Erick Green, a player who amounted for nearly a third of their scoring by himself.

While they still have two veteran forwards who can produce at a high level in Jarell Eddie and Cadarian Raines, they lack depth once more. This issue was at the forefront of their opening night loss to USC Upstate, a game in which Eddie and Raines notched 56% of their teams’ total point production.

Fortunately, this game is an opportunity for them to play another group that is also far from an offensive juggernaut. WVU had major issues both scoring the ball and rebounding it in 2012, and Bob Huggins will no doubt stress those concerns coming into 2013. Huggins brings back five key members of his team from last year but also loses two front court members that would have come in handy in a game like this.

While the Hokies have advantages inside, they were an absolutely miserable defense a year ago. I don’t know if that will change, but it should be seriously doubted for now. WVU has better overall players top to bottom, but they were dysfunctional offensively at times last season.

Terry Henderson, Juwan Staten and Gary Browne are all promising guards/wings who could come on this season and give the Mountaineers a boost. I have them as a slight favorite (about 1.5) in this game, while Vegas is throwing around the number 2.5.

This is an interstate rivalry and it looks like both teams will have certain advantages here. I opt not to be involved in this game, but am intrigued by what WVU could become this season should their guards come on.