The WVU Mountaineers basketball team has reached the lowest point of their season.
Following a five-point defeat to Kansas State on Monday, the team’s current standing in the Big 12 Conference is at the bottom with a record of 3-9.
In general, the team led by coach Bob Huggins has suffered defeat in nine out of their last ten games, effectively extinguishing any chances of participating in postseason basketball in Morgantown. Nevertheless, there remains a slim possibility for the Mountaineers to achieve an automatic bid by staging an extraordinary performance in the conference tournament.
Despite not having high expectations this year, the team is not performing at the expected level.
On Saturday night, WVU will have a chance to boost their spirits as they face off against the formidable No. 6 Kansas. The WVU Coliseum is expected to be filled with excitement and anticipation as the Mountaineers strive to achieve an unexpected victory.
In order to improve their performance this time, they must raise their game significantly since they suffered a 26-point loss in their initial encounter with KU.
Mountaineers lose to Wildcats
The team’s recent loss was disheartening as they had the opportunity to secure a victory. WVU showcased a remarkable performance by scoring 42 points in the first half, allowing them to maintain a seven-point lead going into halftime.
In the second half, Kansas State turned the tables by outscoring WVU by 12 points.
After the Mountaineers took a one-point lead at 56-55, the Wildcats responded with a strong 12-2 run.
Taz Sherman’s shot at the 2:30 mark narrowed the game to a one-point difference, but unfortunately, KSU drew a foul on their next possession while attempting a three-pointer, effectively sealing the game. KSU successfully made all three free throws, resulting in the Mountaineers being unable to score again.
Losing this game was particularly difficult for WVU, considering they were confident in their ability to secure a victory. West Virginia sportsbooks had predicted that KSU would only have a slight advantage of about -3.5 points in the point spread while playing at home.
Sherman showcased his endurance by playing for almost the entire game, totaling 37 minutes, and emerged as the leading scorer with an impressive 23 points. Additionally, the team received considerable contributions from senior guard Kedrian Johnson and freshman forward Isaiah Cottrell, who combined to score 28 points.
Despite not shooting well, sophomore Jalen Bridges displayed dominance on the glass. He impressively secured a total of 10 rebounds, four of which resulted in additional offensive possessions.
WVU emerged victorious in the rebounding battle in one of the rare matchups this season. They outrebounded KSU by three boards.
With the loss, the Mountaineers’ campaign record falls to 14-11, placing them in a challenging position to secure a spot in March Madness.
If the current season were to conclude, they would secure the final spot in the conference tournament. In the first round, they would go head-to-head with Oklahoma State. If they manage to emerge victorious, they would most likely advance to the second round and face Baylor, the second-place team in the Big 12 conference. Baylor, currently ranked seventh in the nation, would be their formidable opponent in the next round.
WVU basketball odds vs. Kansas
In order to enhance its seed and stand a chance in the conference tournament, WVU must achieve a significant outcome this weekend. To emerge victorious against Kansas, the team will have to significantly improve its performance compared to their previous encounter.
In their previous game, KU emerged victorious with a score of 85-59, mainly due to a remarkable performance in the second half. The Mountaineers had a promising start, trailing by just two points at halftime, but unfortunately couldn’t maintain their momentum.
One of the contributing factors was the poor performance of Sherman, the team’s top scorer. He struggled throughout the game, only managing to make one shot out of his nine attempts. Notably, he failed to connect on any of his five three-point attempts.
It wasn’t just Sherman who faced difficulties, as Bridges and Sean McNeil also struggled, shooting a combined 7 of 22 from the field, despite contributing a significant portion of the points.
Senior Malik Curry, coming off the bench, shone as the sole bright star. He contributed 23 points and excelled in reaching the free-throw line. Curry showcased his impeccable accuracy by making all 11 of his free throws.
Although the odds for this game have not been released yet, bettors from Mountain State can anticipate their team to be given a significant number of points. In the previous game held in Lawrence last month, KU was favored with a spread of -11.5.
The team’s performance at home could be a significant factor in benefiting WVU and potentially impacting the odds. With an impressive record of 11 wins out of 14 home games, the Mountaineers have demonstrated their strength in their home ground. Conversely, their away record of 1-7 outside of Morgantown has been quite disappointing.
Despite their loss against No. 20 Texas in their previous game, Kansas boasts a solid 5-2 record on the road.
WVU basketball has experienced a challenging year, but a victory against a formidable program like Kansas can provide a much-needed boost. ESPN’s Basketball Power Index suggests that the Mountaineers have approximately a 31% probability of causing an upset against the Jayhawks.
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