No. 17 WVU Gets Set for Big 12 Rematch with Struggling Iowa State

Iowa State was just 1-3 the first time the Cyclones played the West Virginia in men’s basketball this season and their fortunes have not improved much since then.

Iowa State (2-9, 0-6 Big 12) is currently riding a five-game losing streak with its last win dating all the way back to Dec. 20. In that time, the Cyclones have also canceled or postponed five games due to COVID-19 protocols, including four in a row from Jan. 13 through Jan. 23. The Cyclones just returned to action on Jan. 23 and have lost both of their games since then.

No. 17 WVU (11-5, 4-3) suffered through its own COVID-induced pause two weeks ago, winning its first two games after returning, but dropping its most recent contest against Florida on Saturday.

WVU coach Bob Huggins said Monday morning that the Cyclones have not changed but since the teams’ first meetings, but will be a little different.

“The only thing they’ve changed is what everybody’s changed,” Huggins said. “They got hit with COVID-19 like everybody else did so they’ve played with a shortage of players. I think they’re back to full strength now.”

The Cyclones have only had three players participate in all 11 games and only one, Rasir Bolton, start all 11. Bolton, a returning from last season’s team, is leading the Cyclones, averaging 15.5 points per game. Javan Johnson (12.2), Jalen Coleman-Lands (12.1) and Solomon Young (12) all average double-digit points for ISU, although Johnson and Young did not play in the team’s most recent game.

In their first meeting, the Mountaineers pulled out a five-point, 70-65 win over the Cyclones. Point guard Miles “Deuce” McBride and center Derek Culver each scored 18 for WVU while Bolton dropped 25 for Iowa State.

“We were struggling to win [against them],” Huggins said. “They played very well. They’re hard to guard, [ISU coach] Steve [Prohm] does a great job and runs great sets and they’ve got guys that can make shots.”

Huggins said the Mountaineers are healthy heading into Tuesday’s game, although a few players like Culver, Emmitt Matthews and Gabe Osabuohein are still working back into game shape following the two-week pause. WVU and ISU will tip-off at 7 p.m. EST in Ames, Iowa on Tuesday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.