WVU Basketball

5 Things to Know Before WVU vs. No. 12 Baylor

Published

3 months ago

February 17, 2024

WVU Men's Basketball Josiah Harris v BYU

Kelsie LeRose / WVSN

WVU Basketball hosts No. 12 Baylor as they look for another home upset during Big 12 play. Let’s take a look at five things to know before the game.

Meet the Opponent: Baylor

Baylor is one of the few Big 12 teams to not play with West Virginia this season. The Bears enter the game with an overall record of 18-6 (7-4 Big 12). Baylor has won four of their last five games with wins over UCF, Iowa State, Texas Tech and Oklahoma.

Baylor, similar to Kansas, has a core of quality players and not much depth. The Bears are led by Ja’Kobe Walter (14.1 pgg), RayJ Dennis (13.2 ppg), Langston Love (11.5 ppg), Yves Missi (11.0 ppg), Jalen Bridges (10.8 ppg) and Jayden Nunn 10.5 ppg). Baylor has a top-five defense, according to KenPom.

Bridges Return Pt. 2

Baylor F Jalen Bridges will be making his second return to the WVU Coliseum against his former team on Saturday. West Virginia interim HC Josh Eilert coached Bridges from 2019-22 before his departure to Big 12 foe Baylor. Eilert was asked during Friday’s press conference if it’s still weird coaching against Bridges.

“It is a little bit. I saw Jalen in Kansas City at the Big 12 media days. I always had a wonderful relationship with Jalen. I was excited to see him and give him a hug. I have no ill will towards Jalen by any means. I don’t think he has any ill will towards me,” Eilert said.

“In this business you want your guys to succeed one way or another,” Eilert added. “I care about Jalen and I hope he does well as long as it’s not against the Mountaineers.”

Eilert Comments on Coaching vs. Former WVU F Jalen Bridges

Farrakhan, Kriisa Day-t0-Day

WVU guards Kerr Kriisa (shoulder) and Noah Farrakhan (ankle) were announced as day-to-day, according to a WVU Athletics spokesperson on Friday afternoon. Kriisa and Farrakhan both were injured towards the end of the TCU loss on Monday.