Know your Foe: Q&A with The Smoking Musket

Before today's game, we decided to have a quick Q&A session with WVU's SBN group The Smoking Musket. We contacted SM writer Matthew Kirchner, and he kindly answered some questions about OSU's opponent, the West Virginia Mountaineers.

CRFF: First of all, Juwan Staten and Gary Browne are questionable to return for this game, as they both did not play against Kansas. Do you know anything about their current status?

Juwan probably could (and might) play today. With him, I feel it's more of a case of getting him some rest before the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments with our bid pretty much locked in. 

Gary is a little bit of a bleaker outlook. He might have the dreaded high ankle sprain and that could put him out for the year in the worst case or at least through KC in my best case.

CRFF: Even if they were to sit out, WVU is still a solid team, as evidenced by their performance against ninth ranked Kansas. Which players would step up in their absence?

Our near win at the Phog demonstrated that the future is bright even without Juwan and Gary. Devin Williams will obviously be a force, but we also have solid young guard depth with Jevon Carter and Dexter Miles. Tarik Phillip and Jaysean Paige at guard, and John Holton down low are also threats.

We have depth. It's fun.

CRFF: These two teams met in Stillwater in late February, and put together one of the ugliest basketball games I have ever had the displeasure of attending. It was close in the first half, but WVU finally pulled away, never allowing the Cowboys to recover. Do you imagine that this game will have a similar tone? Or do you sense that it might be different in regards to the point total?

I expect a pretty similar game, to be honest. We're allergic to half court offense so we generally want to make things ugly via the press and half court trap. It'll be ugly and close throughout, in my opinion, until someone decides to go on a run.

CRFF: Who has been the most consistent player of the season? The surprise player of the season?

You would think I'd say Juwan, but I'll go off the reservation a bit and say Gary Browne, which makes his injury even more devastating. He's the prototypical "senior leader point guard" and is a calming influence on the court and takes charges like a boss.

The surprise is basically every young freshman guard. They've been awesome. They've all played beyond their years and they're the real reason WVU has had this season

CRFF: Finally, what is your prediction?

I think we'll get a win on Senior Day, with or without our Seniors. I think OSU is a goo match up for WVU and we'll come away with something like a 72-63ish win.

Same answer I gave RCT. We literally have a guy named BillyDee Williams.

Wars.