5 Things to Know Before WVU vs. No. 3 Kansas

WVU Basketball hosts No. 3 Kansas on Saturday afternoon in Morgantown. Let’s take a look at five things to know before the game.

Meet the Opponent: Kansas

Kansas enters the game 15-2 with one Big 12 loss to UCF. The Jayhawks also lost to Marquette during the Maui Invitational in November.

KU is led by top transfer big Hunter Dickinson from Michigan. Dickinson is averaging 19.3 points and 11.7 rebounds through 17 games. Kevin McCullar, the Jayhawks’ highest returning scorer, is having an impressive season, posting 19.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists.

Throughout the season, Kansas has struggled to find consistent depth pieces to surround Dickinson, McCullar, Dejuan Harris and KJ Adams.

No More Self vs. Huggins

Kansas HC Bill Self was asked by the media about how it will feel playing WVU without Bob Huggins on the sideline.

“I really want him to be remembered and thought of in a way that he’s provided a great legacy to our profession,” Self said. “I wish the best for him but that’s not saying I wish it at the expense of anybody else.”

Self and Huggins have always had a good relationship together. In early 2022, Self accepted Huggins’ invitation to be his guest at his annual fish fry. This will be the first time since West Virginia entered the Big 12 that Self won’t go up against Huggins against the Mountaineers. Instead, it’ll be Huggins’ long-time staff member and current interim HC Josh Eilert.

“I think Josh has done a good job in a hard situation. That’s not easy,” Self said. “Then you throw off that they haven’t had two or three starters for the entire season. I mean that’s a hard deal.”

“It’ll be different but it’s not going to be something that I think about a lot,” Self added.

Kansas HC Bill Self Talks West Virginia Basketball Without Huggins

Stripe the Coliseum

Saturday’s theme for the game is “Stripe the Coliseum.” Even sections and students are encouraged to wear gold while the odd sections are to wear blue.

𝓢𝓽𝓻𝓲𝓹𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓼𝓮𝓾𝓶 🖌️

🟡 Even sections + Students
🔵 Odd sections

🗺️ https://t.co/zPtd5IeCCN pic.twitter.com/ox2wJx9aQD

— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) January 19, 2024

Betting Lines

The spread for the WVU-Kansas game is currently -9.5 KU. The over/under is set at 148.5

How to Watch

West Virginia and No. 3 Kansas will tip off at 4 p.m. inside the WVU Coliseum on Saturday. The Mountaineers and Jayhawks will be on ESPN+.