For the first time this season, the WVU Mountaineers are facing a challenging period. Coach Huggins and his team suffered a defeat against Kansas on Wednesday, marking their second loss against the team this year with a final score of 58-49.
The Morgantown supporters left the game feeling extremely let down by yet another defeat against the Jayhawks, particularly due to the disappointing conclusion of this match.
WVU maintained a six-point lead at halftime and held onto that lead until less than nine minutes remained in the game. Unfortunately, that was the last positive update for the Mountaineers.
Kansas limited their opponents to a mere three points during the final nine minutes and departed from the WVU Coliseum with a well-earned nine-point victory.
The defeat suffered by WVU hoops is extremely disheartening, particularly because it occurred on their home turf. Previously, the Mountaineers had maintained an impeccable record in front of their loyal supporters. Additionally, this loss further solidifies Kansas’ dominance over WVU this season, as they had previously defeated them at Allen Fieldhouse on January 4th.
The Mountaineers have suffered consecutive defeats, making it three losses in their last five games. It is crucial for them to bounce back quickly, as their seed for March Madness could significantly worsen if they don’t.
If WVU fails to secure a victory soon, their projected No. 2 seed status for this year’s NCAA Tournament might be subject to change.
The challenges don’t diminish either. This Saturday, the Mountaineers head to Waco to face the Baylor Bears, who hold the top spot overall.
Baylor has achieved an astounding 21 consecutive victories and maintains a perfect 11-0 record in the Big 12 Conference.
The number of online sports betting apps available in the Mountain State has increased to three, providing bettors with additional options to wager on college basketball and WVU.
We should review the Mountaineers’ challenging defeat at home and shift our focus towards their significant away game this Saturday.
Mountaineers Fall Again
Due to a disappointing second half, WVU suffered their first home game loss of the season. The team struggled to score, only managing to put up 19 points in the last 20 minutes, ultimately squandering a nine-point advantage. As a result of this defeat, WVU’s overall record now stands at 18-6, with a conference record of 6-5.
The Mountaineers struggled to make a single basket, while Kansas sealed the game with a 9-point run, securing their ninth consecutive victory. With a record of 21-3 this season, the Jayhawks currently trail Baylor by only one game in the Big 12 standings.
Despite their efforts, WVU struggled to make shots throughout the entire game and had an excessive amount of turnovers, making it difficult for them to defeat a strong team like Kansas. They shot below 32% from the field and turned the ball over 19 times.
Despite winning the rebound differential by 11, it was still not sufficient for the Mountaineers to secure a victory. With a total of 49 points, this game marked WVU’s lowest scoring performance of the entire season.
Oscar Tshiebwe, the impressive freshman, showcased his talent by leading the team with 14 points, but his second-half contribution was limited to just two points. Among the Mountaineers, Jordan McCabe was the sole player to achieve double-digit points.
Coach Huggins expressed his disappointment with the disappointing finish, but remains optimistic about the potential for growth within his young team, as reported by the Associated Press.
My expectation is that as they grow older, improve their skills, and experience the challenges, they will develop resilience, become more engaged, enhance their defense and passing abilities.
WVU must swiftly put this result behind them and refocus for the upcoming game. Baylor, a highly skilled team, has consistently showcased exceptional basketball skills for several months.
WVU Basketball Preview
Ranked as the top team in all polls, the Baylor Bears are in an excellent position to secure a top seed in the Big Dance. They have emerged victorious in 21 consecutive games after their sole defeat against Washington early in the season.
Despite their impressive season, the Bears are only leading KU by a single game in the competition for the conference championship. While both teams have the potential to secure top seeds in the NCAA Tournament, Baylor is eager to claim victory in the Big 12 regular season.
The upcoming game this weekend between WVU and Baylor marks the first of two matchups. Their second encounter will take place in Morgantown on March 7, concluding the year.
One of the reasons why Baylor is such a formidable opponent is their ability to receive consistent scoring from various players each game. Jared Butler, the team’s guard, leads the squad in scoring with an average of 15 points per game.
However, there are several other contributors as well. MaCio Teague ranks second on the team with an average of over 14 points, while Davion Mitchell and Freddie Gillespie each contribute approximately 10 points per game.
The Bears display a strong defensive presence on the basketball court as well.
Among their roster, four players possess an average of over one steal per game, with Mark Vital leading the pack at 1.8 steals. Additionally, the 6’9″ Gillespie is a formidable presence in the paint, averaging over two blocks per game.
Baylor’s overall ranking in terms of points allowed puts them at fourth place in the country, with an impressive average of only 58.3 points surrendered per game.
Undoubtedly, WVU will face a challenging matchup on the road. Despite a fantastic season thus far, their away record stands at just 3-5.
Baylor is firing on all cylinders, suggesting that the Mountaineers will have to conjure something exceptional this weekend to cause an upset.
WVU Betting Odds
The betting odds for this game have not yet been disclosed at WV sportsbooks, but it is highly probable that the Mountaineers will be considered significant underdogs. ESPN’s Basketball Power Index suggests that they only have a mere 26% likelihood of emerging as winners.
College basketball upsets happen regularly, so there is no reason why WVU cannot perform exceptionally for the entire game. Maybe the recent defeat against Kansas serves as the extra push this team needed to motivate them for the upcoming weekend.
In addition to utilizing online sportsbooks, bettors in WV have the option to visit five retail locations. Wheeling Island and Mardi Gras Casino have recently resumed accepting wagers after an absence of approximately 11 months.
It is hoped that the Mountaineers will be able to provide an enjoyable experience on Saturday and, at the very least, keep the game against top-ranked Baylor competitive.
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