West Virginia will host No. 15 Auburn in the Big 12-SEC Challenge on Saturday. The Mountaineers are coming off a 76-61 win, while the Tigers fell for just the fourth time this season to Texas A&M on Wednesday, losing 79-63.
Injuries
West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins said his team is banged up following their win against Texas Tech. The main concern for the Mountaineers is point guard Kedrian Johnson, who played the lowest minute total of the season against the Red Raiders.
“I know Keddy’s banged up pretty good,” Huggins said. “If Keddy can’t go thats a huge blow for us.”
Huggins also gave injury updates on Emmitt Matthews and James Oknokwo, saying Matthews did not practice on Thursday due to an ankle injury, but did not offer any further update.
“James is banged up some, but I think James will be fine,” Huggins said of Okonkwo.
The injuries of Johnson and Matthews could loom large against the Tigers. Both are starters for the Mountaineers and in two of his last three games, Johnson has broken career highs. While Matthews has found himself in a rut compared to how he was playing during non-conference play, he is still the most experienced guy on West Virginia’s roster.
Game Information
Tip-Off: Noon
TV Channel: ESPN
Where: WVU Coliseum — WVU is 8-3 at home this year, while Auburn is 4-2 in games on the road this season
History: This will be the fifth meeting between these two schools, with the series tied at 2-2
Betting: WVU is currently a 3.5-point favorite, with the total number of points set at 142.5
