+1
basketball gameday
Tuesday, Jan. 24, 6 p.m., ESPN
JORDAN WOLF
@JordanWolfKU
AT A GLANCE
Undefeated in Big 12 play thus far, Kansas looks to escape Morgantown with a victory for the first time since 2013. The Jayhawks carry the momentum of a 79-67 victory over the Texas Longhorns, a performance called largely "average" by coach Bill Self. It's the first of three intense matchups against three top-ten opponents, and the first conference test for the Jayhawks against a ranked opponent. It's going to be a tough game for both sides. Expect a battle.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Josh Jackson freshman,guard
Jackson shouldn't be watched in expectation of a strong performance, rather in fear of a poor one. He had six turnovers against Texas on Saturday, and had a poor enough performance from the free throw line lately that he's earned "Hack-a-Shaq" treatment from opposing coaches. The inexperienced, untested freshman will get his first real taste of the West Virginia crowd and press with a fair amount of pressure. He'll be key in their attempted press-breaking, as his length and quickness is valuable in such situations. He'll need to keep his head cool as well, as he's developed a reputation of being technical foul-prone, something that could easily flare up in such a setup. The Jayhawks can survive without Jackson being his usual great self, but in order for them to win, they will need him to play solid.
QUESTION MARK
How will Kansas handle West Virginia's press?
Kansas has yet to take on a ranked conference opponent, much less on the road. Add that to the Mountaineers' home court-advantage and infamous hounding press, and the Jayhawks may be in trouble. In terms of things they can control, their ability to navigate around "Press Virginia" should be the biggest area of focus. Kansas has struggled with the Mountaineer press in the past, it being a major reason behind their many losses. Self's new four-guard set would likely indicate they may fare better this time, but for a team that has yet to have a truly bad conference game, it seems like a perfect storm.
BY THE NUMBERS
3
Kansas has three top scorers in the top 20 of the Big 12 (Mason, Jackson, Graham). West Virginia has zero.
41. 6 - The Jayhawks' 41.6 three-point percentage leads the conference.
1,456 - It has been 1,456 days since Jayhawks have won in Morgantown.
2 KANSAS (18-1)
STARTING FIVE
Frank Mason III, senior, guard
Mason said "I just want to win there" after Saturday's win against Texas in reference to his 0-3 career record on the road against West Virginia. He'll come into the game off yet another solid performance after posting 17 points and seven assists against the Longhorns. Don't be surprised if we get a good showing from Mason in his last trip to Morgantown.
Devonte' Graham, junior, guard
Graham enters after playing one of his best halves of the year, dropping 15 in the first frame against Texas. However, his only contribution in the second half was a late three-pointer, adding up to an all-around inconsistent showing. Graham has had problems with inconsistency throughout the season, but he'll need to be on his A-game against one of the most aggressive backcourts in the nation.
Svi Mkvhailiuk, junior, guard
Mkyhailiuk has settled into a nice niche for this Jayhawks team, as his reliable three-point stroke has established him as a consistent third or fourth option scorer. He plays strong defense as well, showcased by his three steals against the Longhorns. He'll be an important piece of the Jayhawks' puzzle in breaking the West Virginia press and stifling defense.
Josh Jackson, freshman, guard
Jackson had a career-high in turnovers Saturday with six, in addition to three fouls and two missed free throws. It was a sloppy performance for the freshman star, one that was criticized after the game by Self. It's certainly true that Jackson has the capability to play smart and effective, as he's demonstrated numerous times throughout the year. He'll need to have no lingering effects from the Texas game.
Lucas had one of the oddest statlines of the year against Texas: two points, zero made field goals, 14 rebounds. He was sick, Bill self said, during the game, but still played 31 minutes. Double-digit rebounds is nothing new for Lucas, as he'd done so in six of eight games since returning to the starting lineup. He's likely in line for another all-around solid performance.
Landen Lucas, senior, center
STARTING FIVE
Jevon Carter,junior,guard
Carter leads West Virginia's balanced scoring effort with 12 points per game. He's the leader of the Mountaineers' energetic backcourt and will be instrumental in the Mountaineers' scoring against the explosive Jayhawks. In 29.2 minutes per game this year, Carter has been West Virginia's go-to guy.
Daxter Miles Jr., junior, guard
Miles is another important starter in the West Virginia backcourt. He played 30 minutes in the Mountaineers' last game, a loss to K-State, scoring 11 points and hauling in six rebounds. Miles and Carter will need to work hard to match up against the scoring threats of Mason and Graham.
Brandon Watkins, senior, forward
Watkins had a game to forget last time out in a loss to Kansas State with no points or rebounds in 11 minutes. He fouled out with 4:33 left in the second half. To win against Kansas, Watkins' rebounding must improve. He averages 4.1 rebounds per game this season.
Esa Ahmad, sophomore, forward
Ahmad shoots the best percentage of any West Virginia starter with a 51 percent mark. The only underclassman in the Mountaineers' frontcourt leads the team with 6.4 rebounds per game. Ahmad will likely match up with Landen Lucas down low, and Lucas will have to work hard to overcome the challenge.
Nathan Adrian, senior, forward
Natlah Adrian, senior, forward Adrian is a lot like Kansas' Lucas for the Mountaineers. He averages 6.4 rebounds per game and adds a needed scoring punch with 10.6 points per game. Adrian will be instrumental in competing in the frontcourt against Kansas.
SKYLAR ROLSTAD @SkyRolSports
AT A GLANCE
On most Big 12 teams, starters are the most important players on the floor. The Mountaineers are more of a team effort, with five players averaging over 20 minutes per game and five more averaging over 10 minutes per game. Kansas will have a tough time competing in Morgantown, West Virginia, but two straight losses for the Mountaineers stifles momentum heading into one of the biggest games yet in the Big 12.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Tarik Phillip senior,guard
Phillip has only made six starts this season, but he might be a favorite to earn a start over Watkins. He scored 20 points in the Mountaineers' loss to K-State. Whether he starts or not, Phillip will certainly play plenty of minutes against Kansas. He averages 22.5 minutes per game.
QUESTION MARK
Will West Virginia's full-court press endure Kansas' athleticism?
BY THE NUMBERS
A blistering pace during the win over Texas set the tone for Kansas over 40 minutes on Saturday afternoon. Based on the way Kansas has played so far this season, it wouldn't be surprising to see the athletic Jayhawks burst past the proactive full-court press. West Virginia might have more trouble containing Kansas' offense than it has other Big 12 opponents.
30 — West Virginia's 66 percent shooting from free throws is comparable to the Jayhawks' 64 percent.
50 - West Virginia allowed Kansas State to shoot an outstanding 50 percent from the field Saturday night.
64. 7 - West Virginia allows opponents to score 64.7 points on average.
Beat Writer Prediction:
Skylar Rolstad: KU 88, WVU 82 // Jordan Wolf: WVU 76, Kansas 70 // Brian Mini: WVU 78, KU 70