Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: West Virginia falls, Iowa State surprises to start out season

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Devon Dotson #11 of the Kansas Jayhawks dribbles the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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BUFFALO, NY – MARCH 16: Lamont West #15 and Sagaba Konate #50 of the West Virginia Mountaineers react in the second half against the Bucknell Bison during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 16, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

7. West Virginia Mountaineers (2-2)

Preseason rank: 3

Of all of the teams in the Big 12, none of them has had a more scrutinized opening slate of games this year than West Virginia, who lost to Buffalo and Western Kentucky. It was nearly a 1-3 start but the Mountaineers outlasted a Saint Joseph’s squad that scored 90 points on them. From a defensive standpoint, the “Press Virginia” nickname doesn’t work with this team.

Without Jevon Carter around, guard James Bolden has been tasked with leading the offense. He’s looked good so far, averaging 13.3 ppg and 3.3 apg. But while the veteran frontcourt players (Esa Ahmad, Sagaba Konate, and Lamont West) are providing a solid source of offense, the reserves haven’t produced well enough for WVU to win. That’s why West most likely was moved to the bench, where he responded with 27 points on 7/11 three-pointers.

While going 2-2 isn’t an ideal situation, West Virginia should be fine going forward. Both Buffalo and West Virginia favorites to win their respective conferences in a few months, while the Hawks are a top-4 Atlantic 10 team this season. But the defense is an issue for the Mountaineers, along with a need for more contributors. While they may not be the seventh best team in the Big 12, West Virginia’s performance dropped them to this spot.

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