Key Highlights
- West Virginia aims to continue its winning streak at home against Kansas State.
- P.J. Haggerty of Kansas State is the leading scorer in the Big 12 conference.
- West Virginia has struggled on the road but excels at home, posting a record of 12-0.
- Coach Ross Hodge emphasizes defensive efficiency and avoiding high-scoring games against Kansas State.
The West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Kansas State Wildcats: A Homecoming Matchup
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia Mountaineers (13-7, 4-3) return to the friendly confines of Hope Coliseum to face their first Big 12 opponent at home this season, as they prepare to take on the Kansas State Wildcats (10-10, 1-6) in a Tuesday night matchup. Coach Ross Hodge and his team are looking to build off their recent road win against Arizona State while navigating through the challenges presented by Kansas State.
Effortless Efficiency: West Virginia’s Offense
In their most recent game, the Mountaineers showcased offensive efficiency with 75 points against Arizona State. Hodge highlighted the importance of maintaining this approach in their upcoming contest, emphasizing that an up-tempo, high-scoring affair may not be ideal for Kansas State’s style.
“We need to be efficient offensively, regardless of the raw number,” Hodge said. “You look at our Arizona State game, we were incredibly efficient with points per possession and we were able to hold them to under a point per possession, which is what you want to do. I don’t think it’s to our benefit to get into an up-and-down, high possession and high-scoring game against a team like Kansas State.”
The Threat of P.J. Haggerty
West Virginia will face the formidable challenge posed by 6-foot-4 guard P.J. Haggerty, who leads the Big 12 in scoring with an average of 23.4 points per game. His ability to draw fouls and his high shooting percentage make him a tough matchup for any opponent.
“He’s an incredible individual talent.
He does such a good job of drawing fouls,” Hodge continued. “They do a good job of putting the ball in his hands in space and he has shooting around him. He’s an extremely tough cover. He has great touch in the midrange. He puts so much pressure on your defense.”
Staying Home for Success
The Mountaineers have a 12-0 record at home this season, making their return to Morgantown particularly significant. Hodge acknowledged that while his team has been successful at home, they cannot afford complacency.
“You have to protect home floor,” Hodge said. “There has to be a certain level of urgency to protecting that, because it’s hard to win on the road and hard to win on the road in this league in particular.”
Depth and Rotation
The game will also test West Virginia’s rotation as some key players return from injury. Forward Khamari McGriff was questionable for their last game due to a foot injury, while guard Jackson Fields has not played recently following wrist surgery. Hodge is mindful of the balance between keeping his top players healthy and managing their minutes.
“McGriff is day to day and one you won’t really know about until you show up that night,” Hodge said. “Coach Tang does a great job of giving all those guys confidence, so you know if they’re on the floor, they’re going to be playing with a certain level of confidence.”
In conclusion, West Virginia faces an intriguing challenge as it seeks to maintain its winning momentum at home against a formidable Kansas State team. The outcome will not only impact their standing in the Big 12 but also provide valuable experience for both teams heading into the critical stretch of the season.