With March Madness just around the corner, West Virginia sports enthusiasts are likely eager to make a few bets as the games commence. Undoubtedly, this will involve participating in numerous bracket pools with friends.
With the legalization of sports betting in West Virginia, it has become convenient to grab your mobile device and place a wager. Residents of the Mountain State might even consider betting a few dollars on their local teams.
Take a glance at the March Madness background of West Virginia University and Marshall, two of the most renowned college teams in WV. Discover their performance this season and their likelihood of participating in the Big Dance.
WVU and March Madness
Since the university started participating in collegiate basketball in 1955, the Mountaineers have been highly successful on the court. They currently compete in the Big 12 and boast an impressive record. Over the years, they have secured 13 conference tournament championships and made 29 appearances in the NCAA basketball tournament.
Among the numerous March Madness appearances, two have left a lasting impression, as the team managed to reach the Final Four. Notably, the 1959 team holds the title for the most triumphant season in the school’s history. This remarkable achievement was attributed to the exceptional leadership of NBA icon Jerry West, as the Mountaineers concluded the season with an impeccable 11-0 conference record.
The Mountaineers secured their third consecutive victory in the Southern Conference tournament, followed by a remarkable triumph in the East Region of the NCAA tournament, largely attributed to West’s exceptional performance. In the semi-finals against St. Joseph’s, and subsequently in the finals against Boston University, West contributed a remarkable total of 69 points to secure victories.
The school had never reached such depths in the tournament before, but the Final Four proved to be a remarkable milestone. However, West’s determination to make this season truly magical was far from over. In the subsequent game against Louisville, West delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 38 points and securing an impressive 15 rebounds, leading the team to a resounding 94-79 victory.
The team came very close to winning the NCAA national championship, but unfortunately, they suffered a heartbreaking loss to California with a score of 71-70. Despite the loss, West emerged as the tournament MVP by contributing an impressive 28 points and 11 rebounds in the final game. In the following year, West once again led the team to the semi-finals of the East Region. However, they narrowly missed out on victory, falling short by just one point against New York University.
The team’s next Final Four appearance didn’t occur until 2010, when they secured the school’s inaugural Big East tournament championship. They dominated their region and concluded with a remarkable 73-66 victory over the top-ranked Kentucky team.
The Mountaineers suffered a defeat of 78–57 against Duke in the Final Four, allowing the Blue Devils to advance and ultimately claim the championship title. Following that game, Da’Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks, prominent members of the team, were drafted into the NBA.
WVU’s 2018-2019 NCAA basketball season
The 2018-19 college basketball season has proven to be a challenging one for the Mountaineers. By February 7th, their overall record stood at 10-13, with a disappointing 2-8 performance in conference play. Although they have managed to secure 8 wins in their home games, their road games have presented a great struggle, resulting in a winless 0-6 record. The prospects of clinching a Big 12 title and securing a spot in the NCAA tournament may appear bleak, but there are still a number of conference games left on their schedule.
On January 19, WVU had a standout moment of the season when they defeated the seventh-ranked Kansas Jayhawks with a close score of 65-64. Sadly, their triumph was short-lived as they faced a devastating loss the following week against the top-ranked Tennessee team, who dominated with a score of 83-66. Leading the team in scoring, senior forward Esa Ahmad (618) and junior forward Wesley Harris (533) showcased their skills.
Marshall University and March Madness
Basketball has been played at the university since 1907, contributing to the Thundering Herd’s rich court history. With a total of eight conference titles, the team has achieved remarkable success. In 1947, the Herd emerged victorious in the NAIA National Championship, a predecessor to the esteemed NCAA tournament.
In the context of contemporary basketball, the team has participated in the tournament on six occasions.
- In 1956, the team suffered an early defeat in the first round against Morehead State.
- In 1972, the team suffered an early exit in the first round against Southwestern Louisiana.
- In the year 1984, the team unfortunately suffered a loss in the first round to Villanova.
- In 1985, they were defeated in the first round by VCU.
- In 1987, they suffered an early exit, losing to TCU in the first round.
- In 2018, the team unfortunately suffered a loss in the second round to WVU.
After the NCAA uncovered ten rules violations, including providing cash and gifts to former basketball players, the ‘87 tournament entry of the program was invalidated, and a two-year probation was imposed.
In 2018, the Thundering Herd had their most impressive showing, reaching the second round for the first time in the school’s history. They caused a major upset by defeating Wichita State with a score of 81-75, only to be defeated by West Virginia in the following game.
Over the years, The Herd has cultivated several remarkable players, one of whom is Hal Greer, an NBA Hall of Famer. Greer, who showcased his skills as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, earned the exceptional honor of being selected for 10 consecutive NBA All-Star games. Furthermore, his leadership propelled the team to secure a championship victory in 1967.
Furthermore, Mike D’Antoni, who played professionally for 17 years from 1970 to 1973, currently serves as the head coach of the Houston Rockets. In recognition of his coaching prowess, he was honored as the NBA Coach of the Year in both 2005 and 2017.
Marshall’s 2018-2019 NCAA basketball season
As of February 7th, Marshall had a record of 13 wins and 10 losses, following their thrilling 2018 season and successful first-round triumph. In conference games, they boasted a commendable 6 wins and 4 losses. Their performance at home was particularly strong, with 9 wins and only 2 losses. However, they encountered more challenges on the road, securing only 4 wins while suffering 8 losses.
Despite having many games left on the schedule, the team continues to fight, keeping the possibility of another NCAA tournament appearance alive. Leading the team in scoring are senior guards John Elmore and C.J. Burks.
Betting on March Madness in West Virginia
It is not certain that any of West Virginia’s universities will participate in the NCAA tournament. However, the introduction of sports betting during March Madness will definitely bring positive effects to WV sportsbooks.
However, if the home team were to participate in the Big Dance, it is anticipated that this would greatly enhance sports betting in West Virginia. To engage in the excitement, sports bettors in the state have the option to visit any of the five sportsbooks available.
- Charles Town Races is a popular casino and racetrack located in Hollywood.
- Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort is a facility that offers a combination of casino gaming, horse racing, and resort amenities.
- The Greenbrier houses The Casino Club.
- The Mardi Gras Casino and Resort
- Wheeling Island Hotel
Moreover, for those seeking a hassle-free way to place bets, WV mobile sports betting through the BetLucky Sportsbook serves as a convenient choice. Rumor has it that DraftKings Sportsbook is anticipated to debut in WV during February, perfectly aligning with the excitement of March Madness.
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