Best Virginia eager to renew Backyard Brawl rivalry in game with Pitt alumni Zoo Crew
By Joseph Smith
A storied college sports rivalry will flare up once again tonight in a new and unique way.
West Virginia and Pittsburgh have engaged in competition for over a century in what has become known most popularly as The Backyard Brawl, the bitterness between fanbases enhanced by proximity of the two schools and the deep history of the rivalry in multiple sports.
On Monday night at 8 pm, the rivalry will flare up between alumni programs of the two schools’ men basketball teams -- WVU alumni group Best Virginia will battle Pitt alumni squad Zoo Crew in the second round of the 2024 edition of The Basketball Tournament (TBT). The matchup will take place on Pitt’s home court at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh.
For Best Virginia, a number of players on the roster, as well as head coach and general manager Chase Harler, were a part of the rivalry during their days as Mountaineers, and are eager to renew the rivalry.
“It's kind of how they set up the bracket on purpose,” Harler said of the looming matchup. “ I’m from West Virginia so I take it a little more personal.”
Harler and current team member Esa Ahmad were members of the WVU program at the same time, and have each traded punches with Pitt in the gold-and-blue. In fact, they’ve never actually suffered defeat at the hand of their rival.
“Esa and I played against them in college, and I don't think I ever lost to pitt. So I hope if they win, we keep that tradition going,” Harler said.
“I’m also 1-0 [against Pitt],” Ahmad added with a chuckle.
The team has also informed non-alumni on the team such as Marcus Keene and Xavier Bledson what the rivalry means, and they have told Keene personally he “fits right with that culture” as an athlete.
And for Keene, there is one other thing he relishes about this opportunity.
“So yeah, I’m gonna be ready. I live for that -- playing against teams in their arena in the TBT…so I’m going to be ready to go.”
For those looking to watch the rivalry renew, you can catch the action online at this link -- fans will need to register for a free account before watching.