Friday’s first-round opponents are surprisingly similar. A few things to note:

1) WVU played a far more difficult schedule — No. 10 SOS v. No. 94, 13 games against the Top 25 vs just three — but a lot of that has to do with conference play.

2) Dayton doesn’t score well (low points per game, low shooting percentage, struggles at the foul line, not a lot of 3s tried or made) and only played three “blowout” games (decided by more than 19 points). The Flyers were 3-0. 

3) As you’d expect, Dayton plays a lot of close games and was 11-1 in games decided by fewer than six points. That’s pretty big in March. WVU was 10-1 in blowouts, 3-4 in close games.

4) Free-throws percentages. That’s going to happen … and I think WVU’s percentage is deceiving. It’s been a pretty reliable source of points for six or so weeks now.

5) Both teams rebound, especially on the offensive end. Both teams guard, too, so you know scoring will be tough and points at a premium. Safe bet is second-chance points play a big and possibly deciding role.

In case you’re curious, WVU last year isn’t all that different from WVU this year.