Kansas at West Virginia: 5 storylines for 2020-21 Big 12 matchup

Quick swings out of double-teams

Coach Huggins may not have the Mountaineers running on as many cylinders as in past seasons which earned them the moniker ‘Press Virginia’, but the Mountaineers do not have a lack of defensive intensity. As opposed to the full-court man-to-man pressure defense that has become synonymous with ‘Press Virginia’, this season Coach Huggins has adapted his pressure defense to better suit his roster, which includes backing the pressure behind mid-court.

The Mountaineers are still extremely active on the defensive end as they double-team everyone, everywhere once the ball crosses mid-court, a philosophy that has resulted in the offense being uncomfortable and settling for difficult shots. The defensive results are indicated by Big 12 opponents shooting 45 percent while creating turnovers has become less important.

The most obvious downfall of double-teaming is the old adage ‘ if two people are guarding you, somebody is open’, and leave people open the Mountaineers do. As the players double-team on the perimeter the two post players have two feet in the paint helping, as the remaining perimeter player sinks beneath the foul-line line, however, this results in constant recovery and closing out by the defenders.

Once Kansas is able to pass out of the double-team, a quick reversal of the ball to the weak side corner will result in an open look. Taking into account that the Jayhawks shot 33 percent from the three-point line, this may be a calculated risk Coach Higgins is willing to accept. It is also why the Jayhawks attempted 37 three-pointers when these two teams last meant and made 16 of them, both season highs.

Ochai Agbaji, Jalen Wilson, and Christian Braun all attempted over 10 three-pointers last game and will have those opportunities again. Will they connect on 13 of 32 again, that is the story that will be told.