Update: Game Results: With the Cat's impressive 82-75 win in Morgantown, we congratulate seven VUH readers who took medals in this round. Gold Medals: bella-nova (81-75), NovaCat94 (82-76) and Steph '76 (83-75), earning 5 points each; Silver Medal: Barney Rubble '87 (80-75), earning 3 points; Bronze Medals: Joe (80-76), SpecialK73 (80-74), and Squeaky 99 (82-78), earning 1 point each. Select "read more" to view the 61 readers now on our leaderboard.
LEADER BOARD AFTER 19 ROUNDS
| Reader | Points |
| Andy ’06 | 20 |
| Pete | 15 |
| Tommyboy | 14 |
| Barney Rubble '87 | 13 |
| Old School | 13 |
| Ricky Williams | 11 |
| Ed '77 | 10 |
| Jim89 | 10 |
| Jim K | 9 |
| Pena Power | 9 |
| Steph '76 | 9 |
| Tom 87 | 9 |
| Bri '13 | 8 |
| Lou '06 | 8 |
| ramon usategui | 8 |
| jm | 7 |
| MIKE | 7 |
| Wallace | 7 |
| Alex '09 | 6 |
| Chad | 6 |
| Joe | 6 |
| NJ Super’Nova | 6 |
| NovaCat94 | 6 |
| Paul | 6 |
| supernova | 6 |
| bella-nova | 5 |
| Colt | 5 |
| Kait '08 | 5 |
| Ray '68 | 5 |
| wayneg | 5 |
| Squeaky 99 | 4 |
| B.Graves | 3 |
| Chillcat | 3 |
| chuck st.petersburg | 3 |
| CJ | 3 |
| imisskylelowry | 3 |
| Kmac | 3 |
| maalik lowry | 3 |
| mj | 3 |
| Schitzengigles | 3 |
| Tony | 3 |
| Bill '77 | 2 |
| Brendan D. | 2 |
| cdtoffers | 2 |
| EDM '09 | 2 |
| Eli | 2 |
| jimmy | 2 |
| rise | 2 |
| Chris | 1 |
| dj | 1 |
| doctor feelgoode | 1 |
| EG'77 | 1 |
| Friar Fanatic '13 | 1 |
| HoyaSaxa | 1 |
| JROLL | 1 |
| mddcny | 1 |
| Paul '91 | 1 |
| pttam7yanks | 1 |
| SpecialK73 | 1 |
| TK87 | 1 |
| Wayns World | 1 |
Update: Monday, February 8, 7:00 PM (Game Time). A total of 58 VUH readers posted predictions (nine of little faith predicting a victory by the bad guys). Collectively the readers see Nova winning 84-78 (a margin of 6 points and implied over/under of 162). The Vegas odds-makers see it quite differently, favoring West Virginia (-4.5) with the over/under set at 150, implying a final score of 77-73). The scatter graph depicting the readers' predications is provided below.
Window Opening: Sunday, February 7, 10:00 AM. With the distraction of the Super Bowl this afternoon, we decided on an early opening for readers to post their predicted final scores for Monday’s game at West Virginia in our Closest to the Pin Contest. After eighteen rounds, our leader board shows Andy ‘06 in first place with 20 points, Pete in second place with 15 points, and Tommyboy in third place with 14 points.
So far this season, Villanova (20-2, 9-1) has scored an average of 85.2 points while holding their opponents to 72.0. West Virginia (19-3, 8-2) has scored an average of 73.8 points while giving up 61.5 points. The Mountaineers more notable wins have come @ Seton Hall (+6), vs. Marquette (+1), vs. Rutgers (+34), @ South Florida (+19), vs. Louisville (+3), vs. Pittsburgh (+19), and @ St. Johns (+19). Their three losses were @ Purdue (-15), @ Notre Dame (-2), and vs. Syracuse (-1). Villanova presently is ranked #2, has an RPI of 5 and an SOS of 32. West Virginia presently is ranked #6, has an RPI of 4 and an SOS of 10.
We’ll post our game preview and the Las Vegas spread and over / under on game day. NOTE: With VUHoops’ new commenting system, it is important for contestants to use a consistent handle/login name so that we can keep an accurate running leader board over the course of the season.