WVU Basketball Newcomers Embrace Pitt Rivalry, Backyard Basketball Classic

The Backyard Brawl will look different this year, as WVU basketball will play Pitt at PPG Paints Arena as part of the Backyard Basketball Classic.

WVU’s roster has 12 newcomers who will experience the Backyard Brawl for the first time on the biggest stage it’s ever been played. Junior guard Martin Somerville, senior guard Finley Bizjack and freshman guard Miles Sadler spoke to the media Wednesday, sharing their thoughts on playing Pitt.

Somerville highlighted the importance of the matchup to the fans, stating how their passion for the game will be a driving force for the Mountaineers.

“The fans here really tell you how important it is to them, and that makes you wanna play hard, and it makes something fun for us to then play in as a team,” Somerville said. “So I think we’re excited, and we got a lot of good games this year. I know this will be one of them, so we’re excited to see how we do out there and compete.”

Bizjack spoke on the Backyard Brawl being his first experience of a true rivalry matchup after playing his first three seasons at Butler, which has no prominent rivals.

“Coming from a small school, never really had a real rivalry game like Pitt. And so seeing how our fans are super excited about it, and how as a team we’re kind of rallying around a game like this, I think it’s just super exciting for all of us,” Bizjack said.

Lastly, Sadler spoke on the environment created by the game and his excitement for the opportunity to play in it.

“I’ve never been in a, in an environment like this, so I mean, just getting that experience and I love playing basketball at the end of the day, so no matter who I play, I think I’m just gonna, gonna be happy,” Sadler said.

Find more coverage of WVU basketball at WV Sports Now.