College Hoops Picks: West Virginia Mountaineers @ Georgetown Hoyas

Preview

The Georgetown Hoyas (No. 12 AP, No. 14 Coaches, 3-2, 12-4) finish up their toughest stretch of the season on Thursday when they host the West Virginia Mountaineers (2-2, 13-3). Over the course of the past three weeks, the Hoyas have faced Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Providence, Syracuse, and Duke—three top five teams and two more in the top 15.

The Mountaineers, on the other hand, have been less challenged since the start of Big East conference play—they have faced Seton Hall, Connecticut, Marquette, Marshall, and South Florida.

Despite the difference in competition, this game—along with most Big East games— can feasibly go either way. West Virginia has been largely considered a March Madness bubble team while many believe Georgetown is a lock—an upset by the Mountaineers would make the Big Dance seem more realistic after recent losses to Connecticut and Marquette, and their three-point escape from South Florida.

	Record	Conf	ATS	RPI	SOS	PF	PA
West Virginia	13-4	2-2	6-7	25	21	73.3	58.9
Georgetown	12-4	3-2	6-5	6	1	74.5	61.7

	FG%	D. FG%	3P%	D. 3P%	FT%	RPG	SPG	APG
West Virginia	43.3	40.0	33.0	27.5	65.1	42.3	7.9	14.7
Georgetown	48.8	38.1	30.9	37.3	72.5	36.8	8.2	14.3

Both teams have RPI's in the top 25 and the Hoyas have the toughest schedule in the country. The two teams stack up well against each other, though—the Mountaineers out-rebound the Hoyas while Georgetown is more accurate from the floor and the line.

Prediction

Current Line: Georgetown -6.5

West Virginia ATS: 6-7, 5-3 when favored
Georgetown ATS: 6-5, 1-1 when underdog

As I said above, the Hoyas are in the midst of their toughest stretch of the season (and arguably the toughest stretch in college hoops this season). The Mountaineers have not faced the same kind of foe, and they have barely escaped some of their easier opponents (South Florida).

Of the Hoyas three conference wins this season, all have been by more than seven points. In fact, all of Georgetown's 12 wins this season have been by seven or more points. I don't see any reason why they can't do it again.

My pick: Georgetown -6.5

*This article is also featured on CFBPlace.com—and soon to be featured on CBBPlace.com*