The West Virginia men’s basketball team is in Lawrence, Kansas, on New Year’s Eve to kick off Big 12 play against the No. 7-ranked team in the land.
Both teams are 9-2 so far this season. Last year, the Mountaineers upset the Jayhawks at home under interim head coach Josh Eiliert.
Our staff gives their predictions:
Ryan Roddy: Big 12 play is finally here and WVU faces a challenge immediately with one of the top-ranked teams in the Big 12. The Jayhawks are led by 7-foot-2 center Hunter Dickinson, who can most definitely control the paint against a West Virginia team that may be considered lacking height. Guards Dajuan Harris Jr. and Zeke Mayo are also offensive weapons for Kansas. As for the Mountaineers, they’ve been dealing with injuries. Guard Javon Small should be the most acclimated to Big 12 play as he spent last year with Oklahoma State. I expect WVU to play their brand of basketball, but still unable to keep up with the Jayhawks. I predict Kansas controls the game all the way through and come out with a sizeable victory.
Kansas 87, West Virginia 65
Tanner Mountz: There might not be a more difficult way to start conference play for WVU than what they have in front of them this season. Having to travel to one of the toughest venues to play in will certainly test Coach DeVries’s team, which will be looking for the school’s second straight win over Kansas this season. It will be much tougher this year with an even bigger lack of size for WVU than they had a year ago. It will be difficult to defined Hunter Dickinson due to the small lineups WVU might have to play with. It looks very unlikely that Tucker DeVries will be playing in the game either. That will create fewer scoring opportunities for WVU outside of Javon Small. If DeVries is not playing, the formula will be the same as if he were playing, only harder to achieve. The Mountaineers are going to need to get hot from three and make a lot of shots. It was the recipe for success last season and it will be more difficult to do so this year in Allen Fieldhouse. I think the Jayhawks’ size and skill will be too much for the shorthanded Mountaineers to handle.
Kansas 76, West Virginia 59
RJ Russell:Â WVU has dealt with a wave of injuries coming into the first Big 12 game, including starters Tucker DeVries and Amani Hansberry, who has a chance to play after injuring his ankle against Mercyhurst. I believe that Kansas will get off to a hot start in the first half, but I think a strong second-half performance by leading scorer Javon Small will put the Mountaineers in a position to leave Kansas with a big win to kick off conference play.
West Virginia 84, Kansas 82
Joe Antenucci: The West Virginia Mountaineers return to action following a brief hiatus but face no easy task in their first game back. They’ll travel to Allen Fieldhouse to take on the No. 7-ranked Kansas Jayhawks in a challenging road matchup.
WVU enters the contest with a 9-2 record, highlighted by several impressive wins. However, the Mountaineers are dealing with injuries that could hinder their chances of pulling off an upset. Key players Tucker DeVries and Amani Hansberry are unlikely to suit up, which leaves WVU in a difficult position.
While the timing of the injuries adds to the challenge, expect the Mountaineers to compete and keep the game close, but Kansas will ultimately prevail in front of the home crowd.
Kansas 83, West Virginia 74
