WVU Basketball

5 Things to Know Before WVU vs. Oklahoma State

Published

1 year ago

January 2, 2023

Photo: Kelsie LeRose / WVSN

West Virginia looks to bounce back after the disappointing overtime loss to Kansas State as they take on Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Monday night. Let’s take a look at five things to know before the game.

Meet the Opponent: Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State enters Monday with the most losses in the Big 12, with five. The Cowboys (8-5, 0-1 Big 12) have quality wins over Wichita State, Tulsa and DePaul during non-conference play. In the first game of Big 12 play, Oklahoma State gave Kansas a great game at Allen Fieldhouse. OSU at one point led by 15 over the Jayhawks but fell by two points.

OSU head coach Mike Boynton is in his sixth season in Stillwater. Cowboys are led by guards Avery Anderson, Bryce Thompson and John-Michael Wright. Anderson, who’s in his fifth season, averages 11.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

WVU in Must-Win Situation

After just one Big 12 game, West Virginia sits in a must-win situation on Monday night against OSU. WVU falling to Kansas State in overtime in Manhattan on Saturday was a missed opportunity for a future off-game. WVU now could see themselves at 0-2 in-conference as they host No. 3 Kansas on Saturday and No. 19 Baylor next week.

West Virginia sits 10-3 with losses to now-No. 1 Purdue, Xavier and Kansas State.

Chance to Work on Weaknesses

WVU averages 12.8 turnovers per game, which is 194th in the country. The lack of awareness at times on offense has allowed many points on defense. Kansas State scored 22 points off of West Virginia’s mistakes on Saturday. The Wildcats got back into the game by forcing turnovers and taking advantage of WVU playing lackluster in the second half.

West Virginia also shot 20-of-38 (53%) from the free-throw line, their worst game of the season so far. Mountaineers are shooting 71 percent from the line this season.