3 Takeaways from WVU’s Road Win Over Texas Tech

West Virginia picked up a must-win on the road against Texas Tech. Let’s take a look at three takeaways from the game.

Bench Steps Up in Biggest Time

West Virginia’s bench scored 50 points, which was 65 percent of WVU’s scoring against Texas Tech. Joe Toussaint, Seth Wilson and James Okonkwo stepped up big for the Mountaineers while Kobe Johnson, Mohamed Wague and Josiah Harris checked in and produced.

Within the first five minutes, it was clear that Bob Huggins needed to make a change. Huggins substituted his entire starting lineup for Toussaint, Wilson, Johnson, Harris and Wague. That lineup mixed with Okonkwo helped get WVU back into the game and take the lead toward the end of the first half.

West Virginia’s bench stepped up in a must-win game.

“I thought our bench was really good. Joe [Toussaint] came in and did a terrific job for us. James [Okonkwo] was good, Mo was good. Josiah [Harris] had good minutes for us,” Huggins said postgame on the radio. “I thought that was a great team win.”

Johnson, Matthews Banged Up

Huggins mentioned after the game that Kedrian Johnson and Emmitt Matthews are banged up with separate injuries. Johnson has been dealing with an ankle sprain for the past couple of games. Matthews hasn’t been the same player since his leg injury against UAB last month.

Johnson was seen visibly limping in the second half and postgame.

Huggins does not know Johnson’s status for the Auburn game on Saturday.

Momentum Shifts to Auburn Game

For the first time in a while, it seems like West Virginia has a lot of momentum heading into their next game. Mountaineers have won two out of their last three games with wins over TCU and Texas Tech. West Virginia also ended their 12-game conference road losing streak that dated back to last season. Mountaineers’ last win on the road during conference play was Feb. 23, 2021.

Now with multiple monkeys off their backs, West Virginia can put full focus on Auburn.

“To me, it’s relief. We’ve given so many games away,” Huggins said.

Auburn ranks No. 15 in the country but will head into Morgantown with a loss to Texas A&M. Mountaineers and Tigers will tipoff at noon at the WVU Coliseum on Saturday.