FACTS & STATS: Site: Verizon Center (20,600) -- Washington, D.C. Television: CBS. NCAA Tournament Record: WVU 19-20, Duke 86-28. Series Record: Duke leads, 17-6.

GAME NOTES: After avoiding a scare in the first round, the second-seeded Duke Blue Devils will turn their focus toward the seventh-seeded West Virginia Mountaineers, as the two schools collide in West Regional second round action at the Verizon Center. The Mountaineers collected a more conventional victory in the first round, defeating Arizona, 75-65. With the win, WVU is now 19-20 in this event and has won 29 of its last 32 non-league matchups. A victory today would push the Mountaineers into the Sweet 16 for the third time in the last four seasons. As for the Blue Devils, they avoided becoming just the fifth ever second seed to fall in the first round of tournament play, as the team grabbed a thrilling, 71-70 victory over a surprising Belmont squad. With the win, the Blue Devils snapped a two-game slide at this event, and pushed their all-time record in the tournament to an outstanding 86-28. With a victory over WVU, the Blue Devils will participate in the Sweet 16 for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons. With respects to the all-time series between the two schools, the Blue Devils have a 17-6 edge over West Virginia. Ironically, the last time these two squads met was in the second round of the 1989 NCAA Tournament, and Duke walked away with a 70-63 decision in that matchup. The winner of this contest will move on to the next round and will face either Xavier or Purdue.

The Mountaineers put on a shooting display Thursday night against Arizona, as West Virginia connected on an impressive 11-of-19 three-point attempts, while hitting on 50.9 percent overall from the floor. The strong offensive performance was the main reason for West Virginia's 75-65 victory over the Wildcats. Alex Ruoff was sensational in the contest, netting 5-of-7 three- point shots, while finishing with a team-high 21 points. Ruoff has been the Mountaineers' best long range threat, and is connecting on 41.3 percent from behind the arc, while averaging 13.7 ppg. Da'Sean Butler, who is producing 13.0 ppg and 6.1 rpg, added 19 points in the win over Arizona and also pulled down seven caroms. Darris Nichols was a tremendous leader on the floor, finishing with a game-high six assists, while also contributing 14 points. As for the team's top performer, Joe Alexander (16.6 ppg and 6.1 rpg), he posted 14 points in the win, while grabbing a team-best eight boards. Heading into this contest, the Mountaineers are producing a strong 74.9 ppg, while shooting over 45.0 percent from the field.

Gerald Henderson put on the proverbial super hero cape, and sprinted down the court, netting a layup in the final seconds of regulation to give the Blue Devils a thrilling 71-70 victory over Belmont. Henderson finished with a game- high 21 points and also grabbed seven rebounds and five steals. Henderson has been one of the key pieces for Duke all season and is currently averaging 12.6 ppg, while pulling down 4.8 rpg. Jon Scheyer was outstanding off the bench, netting 13 points for the Blue Devils, while Greg Paulus and Kyle Singer contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively. Paulus has been a solid floor general for Duke and is leading the team with 3.2 apg, while also posting 11.3 ppg. As for Singer, he has been tough in the paint, with the freshman netting 13.5 ppg to go along with a team-high 5.9 rpg. Unfortunately Duke's top scorer, DeMarcus Nelson (14.8 ppg) struggled in the contest, netting just 1- of-6 attempts from the floor, finishing with only two points and four turnovers. Although the Blue Devils were not at their best on Thursday, the team is still averaging a dangerous 83.7 ppg.

The Blue Devils avoided a catastrophic loss in the first round, but if Duke puts forth a similar performance against West Virginia, it will not be as lucky the second time around. The Mountaineers are a dangerous shooting team and if they stay hot, WVU will move on.

Predicted Outcome

West Virginia 79, Duke 74