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West Virginia vs. Kansas: College basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Tristan Freeman

LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 13: Head coach Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers argues an officials call during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on January 13, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated West Virginia 72-71. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 13: Head coach Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers argues an officials call during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on January 13, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated West Virginia 72-71. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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It’s the back-end of the season and Kansas is not in first place in the Big 12 standings. Can they get a win to keep place?

TV schedule: Saturday, February 17, 6:00 p.m. ET. ESPN

Arena: Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas

When these two teams went to battle on ESPN’s Monday night doubleheader a month ago, first place in the Big 12 was on the line. West Virginia 19-7 (8-5) had the lead most of the way, but couldn’t hold on in the 71-66 loss. Sagaba Konate had 16 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in the loss, while Jevon Carter had 14 points. It was also Esa Ahmad’s first game back from a season-long suspension, where he had 15 points off the bench.

In the comeback for Kansas 20-6 (9-4), Svi Mykhailiuk and Devonte’ Graham combined for 33 points and 11 assists. It allowed the Jayhawks to stay in first place, where they remained for a couple of weeks. But what was supposed to be the program’s ace in the hole (Allen Fieldhouse) has turned into a wash. Bill Self’s team has already lost five games at home this season, the most ever for a Self-coached team.

Kansas is now one game back of Texas Tech, with a trip to Lubbock still coming. They’re still right in the thick of things, but have a brutal slate of games ahead of them. It’s the first of three ranked games in a row, followed by a game with Texas, finished with a road trip to Oklahoma State. That’s now a big game after the Cowboys dominated the Jayhawks at their place over a week ago.

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The key to this game will be once again how the Mountaineers guard Kansas all 40 minutes. West Virginia has shown that they can be dominant for 25 minutes in a game, but it’s the last 15 that seems to cause the team to unravel. If they can hold it together, I actually like them to give Kansas their sixth loss at home, giving a huge lift to the Red Raiders.

Prediction: Kansas 73 – West Virginia 76

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