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Texas Tech vs. West Virginia: 3 storylines to watch in Morgantown

By Jason Burgess

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 01: The Texas Tech Red Raiders bench reacts after a dunk against the Memphis Tigers during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 01: The Texas Tech Red Raiders bench reacts after a dunk against the Memphis Tigers during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – MARCH 17: The Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot performs during the game against the Florida Gators during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at the American Airlines Center on March 17, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – MARCH 17: The Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot performs during the game against the Florida Gators during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at the American Airlines Center on March 17, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Two top teams in the Big 12 face off Wednesday when West Virginia hosts Texas Tech. Here are 3 storylines to watch for in this key conference battle.

Bob Huggins’ West Virginia Mountaineers play host to Chris Beard’s Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Big 12 opener for both teams on Wednesday. The 8-4 home team began the season just 1-2 with losses to Buffalo and Western Kentucky sandwiched around a victory over a still winless Monmouth team. Since then West Virginia has won seven of nine, but their best win is probably a 97-90 win over St. Joseph’s following the loss to Western Kentucky.

The Mountaineers’ offense got off to a roaring start, averaging over 86 points per game in their first seven contests. Since then, beginning with a loss to Florida, that number has dropped to 69. Offensively West Virginia currently has four players averaging double figures, led by forwards Esa Ahmad and Sagaba Konate who average 14.3 and 13.6 respectively.

The Red Raiders are ranked 11th in the country and have an 11-1 record with their lone loss was thanks to Duke at Madison Square Garden in a game that was a lot closer than the 69-58 final score would indicate. Texas Tech had steamrolled all opponents up to that point, with their 11-point win over Memphis being their closest win.

Beard’s club averages 75 points per game but has just two double-digit scorers in guards, senior Matt Mooney and sophomore Jarrett Culver who average 30 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists.

Both teams will be looking to get off on the right foot in conference play. Here are three storylines to watch in what should be a very physical matchup.

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