WVU Basketball

5 Things to Know Before WVU vs. Texas Tech

Published

2 months ago

March 2, 2024

Kelsie LeRose / WVSN

WVU will host Texas Tech on Saturday in the Mountaineers’ second-to-last home games of the season. Let’s take a look at five things to know before the game.

Meet the Opponent: Texas Tech

With the Big 12 getting rid of the traditional red robin schedule and expanding the conference to 14, WVU and Texas Tech have yet to play this season as it’s March 2. Texas Tech hired Grant McCasland from North Texas after their fallout with Mark Adams. McCasland has TTU at 19-9 and fifth in the Big 12. Texas Tech has reached the AP top 25 poll a few times this season as well.

McCasland was able to retain guard Pop Isaacs (16.0 ppg) from last year’s roster and added Joe Toussaint (West Virginia), Darrion Williams (Nevada), Chance McMillian (Grand Canyon) and Warren Washington (Arizona State).

Toussaint Returns to Morgantown

Former WVU G Joe Toussaint will be making his return to Morgantown with the Red Raiders. Toussaint, who originally was set to play for WVU this season, transferred out after Bob Huggins’ resignation. Toussaint ended up picking Texas Tech to finish out his collegiate eligibility.

Toussaint is having his best season for the Red Raiders, averaging 12.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists on 41% shooting.

“We all know how Joe Toussaint plays. He’s a bulldog,” WVU interim HC Josh Eilert said on Friday. “I’m sure he’ll be playing with a chip on his shoulder coming back to Morgantown.”

WVU Fighting with OKST For Last Place

As of Saturday, West Virginia and Oklahoma State are tied for last place in the Big 12. OSU has the tiebreaker by defeating WVU in Stillwater earlier in the season. Right now, WVU would play as the 14-seed in Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament.