The Key to Beating Cincinnati is Winning the Middle Eight
When you experience 3 straight losses like we have it can be really hard to look back at any of those games and find positives or silver linings. Would it surprise you if I told you that in each of those 3 losses we were tied or had the lead late in the first half? […]
In a recent spate of three consecutive losses, the West Virginia Mountaineers found themselves in a rut, trailing by points late in the first half and failing to capitalize on opportunities. This prompted an analysis of the "Middle Eight" - the last four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half - in each of their Power 4 games.
The data revealed that in their last two losses, their score differential during this crucial period was -28 points. This segment of the game can swing momentum in a team's favor, as scoring in the first half and then taking the second half's opening possession allows for 14 points without the opponent touching the ball. The Mountaineers must change this trend to overcome Cincinnati, by building momentum and staying in control during this critical period, which could give them a better chance to emerge victorious.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
