Preview: The Gophers (4-0) face West Virginia (3-0) in Sunday's championship in the Puerto Rico Tip-off at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan. West Virginia has a 2-1 edge in its series with the Gophers, the last meeting coming in November 1996 at Target Center. The Mountaineers lost key players from last season's Final Four squad, but they are still equipped to make a run at the Big East title. The Gophers' victory over No. 8 North Carolina on Friday should help the team earn a national ranking.
The Gophers will win because ... They will pound the ball inside the way they did against North Carolina. Trevor Mbakwe was four rebounds away from his fourth double-double in four games against the Tar Heels. West Virginia will struggle stop the duo of Mbakwe and Ralph Sampson III.
The Gophers will lose because ... It's dangerous to play a talented team such as West Virginia when you're coming off a victory against a squad like No. 8 North Carolina. Fatigue could be a factor. But West Virginia, a very athletic team, has the experience that the Tar Heels lacked. And its defense is dangerous.
MYRON P. MEDCALF
