5 Things to Know Before WVU vs. Kansas State

West Virginia opens up their Big 12 Conference slate on Saturday night on the road against Kansas State. Let’s take a look at five things to know before the game.

Meet the Opponent: Kansas State

Kansas State has been one of the biggest surprises in the country so far. The Wildcats are led by first-year head coach Jerome Tang, who takes his years of experience assisting at Baylor to KSU. Tang has coached his Wildcats to an 11-1 record with their only loss coming against Butler. Tang arrived in April to replace Bruce Weber and has done a great job recruiting the transfer portal and establishing a great culture where guys want to play for Kansas State.

Tang and his new coaching staff notably recruited Florida transfer Keyontae Johnson. Johnson returned to the court this season for the first time since 2020 after collapsing on the floor. Johnson, a former All-SEC recipient, is averaging 17.7 points and 6.8 rebounds. The Virginia native is shooting 58 percent from the field and 46 percent from three.

Johnson has major help from a returning Markquis Nowell. Nowell was one of two rotation players to stay at KSU. Nowell, a 5-foot-7 guard, is averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 assists per game.

Other notable Wildcats: Nae’Qwan Tomlin, F; Desi Sills, G; Camryn Carter, G; David N’Guessan, F.

Matthews Returning to Court

WVU fifth-year forward Emmitt Matthews is ready to go to return to the court, per head coach Bob Huggins. Huggins said on Thursday that Matthews will play against Kansas State.

Matthews returned to practice this week after the Christmas break.

“I think he’ll be fine. Thank goodness it wasn’t a tear, it was a bruise,” Huggins said. “He’s fine.”

Matthews injured the knee early-on against UAB on Dec. 10 but finished the game. The fifth-year senior missed the Buffalo and Stony Brook games, which WVU went 2-0 in that stretch. Matthews is averaging 10.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists through 10 games.

Quad-1 Win Opportunity for Both Teams

Saturday’s game is a big opportunity for both teams to secure a quad-1 victory. There will be plenty of chances in the Big 12 to have great wins but WVU and KSU would both want to get on a good start.

West Virginia is 1-2 in quad-1 games, with their win being against Pitt and their two losses against now-No. 1 Purdue and Xavier.

Kansas State does not have any quad-1 games so far. The Wildcats have notable wins over LSU, Nebraska and Nevada.

Betting Lines

The spread for the West Virginia-Kansas State game is KSU -1.0. The over/under is set at 143.5.

Where to Watch

West Virginia and Kansas State will tip off at 7 p.m. inside the Bramlage Coliseum on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.