West Virginia beat Pittsburgh, 74-59, as a 17-point home favorite last season. It was the fifth straight time the Mountaineers have defeated the Panthers in the Backyard Brawl series. The average margin of victory during this time frame is 13.4 points.

Now the opening spread was West Virginia minus only two. Home court doesn't make up a 15-point difference.

The oddsmaker is expecting Pittsburgh to do much better this time. I see West Virginia as a much stronger favorite than this. The Mountaineers have upgraded their athleticism and frontcourt with the addition of 6-foot-10 Mohamed Wague.