WVU Basketball

5 Things to Know Before WVU vs. Oklahoma State

Published

3 months ago

January 27, 2024

Kelsie LeRose / WVSN

WVU Basketball travels to Stillwater, Ok. to take on Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon. Let’s take a look at five things to know before the game.

Meet the Opponent: Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State enters the game 8-11 (0-6 Big 12) and is currently on a six-game losing streak. OSU last won against Chicago State on Jan. 3, completing a five-game winning streak.

OSU is led by head coach Mike Boynton, who is in his seventh season with the Cowboys. Boynton and his staff picked up their scoring leader this season from the transfer portal. East Carolina transfer guard Javon Small has transitioned well into the Big 12, averaging 13.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.

Pokes Still Looking For Big 12 Win

Oklahoma State is still searching for their first Big 12 win of the season, as the Pokes are 0-6 in conference. OSU has lost to Baylor, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State and TCU so far.

The Cowboys gave a few of those teams competitive games. OSU is statistically one of the worst offenses in the country and is last in rebounds per game.

Can they break their six-game losing streak on Saturday vs. West Virginia?

Edwards Status Unknown

WVU C Jesse Edwards is still recovering from a fractured wrist that has sidelined him for the past six weeks. West Virginia interim HC Josh Eilert showed his concerns about Edwards’ ability to use his wrist during his radio show on Thursday night with Tony Caridi.

Edwards had his brace removed last week and has been dressed for emergency situations against Kansas and UCF. Eilert says Edwards is still practicing but is struggling to shoot the ball. The first-year head coach is concerned that teams will take notice of Edwards’ recovering wrist and just foul when the Syracuse transfer touches the ball.

“[Edwards] can’t shoot that thing from the free throw line at this point. I don’t think he could do it and even make it look halfway decent,” Eilert said. “So your opponent gets to a point where this is the strategy we’re going to take. We’re just going to foul Jesse intentionally every time he touches it down low and he has to go to the line over and over again, it could be very counterproductive.”