Buffalo Bulls vs. West Virginia Mountaineers: 5 Bold Predictions

Feb 24, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Juwan Staten (3) against the Texas Longhorns at WVU Coliseum. The Mountaineers won 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

– West Virginia will be healthy

Coming into the tournament, West Virginia has been banged up, but with so much on the line, they will be able to push through the injuries. Guard Gary Browne has missed the last three games with a leg injury, but he is expected to return for the game against the Bulls. This season, Browne has averaged 7.0 points per game, and helps the Mountaineers’ pressure with 33 steals this season.

The more important player that West Virginia will need to be healthy is guard Juwan Staten. Staten is also expected to play, and the Mountaineers will certainly need him if they hope to avoid being another No.5 seed to lose. Staten has averaged 14.4 PPG, 4.6 APG, and 2.8 RPG this season. He has also missed the last three games for the Mountaineers, but with the tournament here, players generally will give it all they have.

Both Browne and Staten should play on Friday, and if they can’t for some reason, the Mountaineers will be in a lot of trouble.

Next: Experience will pay off