Mountaineers Jump Six Spots in Latest AP Poll

Following the 65-59 upset of the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes yesterday, West Virginia has climbed six spots in the newest AP Poll this week, from 22 to 16.

The upset was the biggest for the Mountaineers since the 2016-17 season. That year WVU upsets both No. 1 Baylor and No. 2 Kansas when they traveled to the WVU Coliseum. That season also had one of WVU’s biggest road upsets in recent years when they defeated No. 6 Virginia in Charlottesville.

The last time WVU had such an upset in a neutral site game was in 2009 when the Mountaineers defeated No. 2 Pittsburgh at Madison Square Garden in the Big East Tournament.

West Virginia is being powered by rebounding and defense this season, outrebounding opponents 42-34.3 per game this season and holding them to just 35.9% shooting from the floor.

Sophomore Derek Culver and freshman Oscar Tshiebwe have played big roles for the Mountaineers throughout the year. Culver is averaging 11 points and 9.4 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game so far. Tshiebwe is averaging 11.8 and 8.8 in 20.8 minutes.

Jermaine Haley (10.5) and Emmitt Matthews Jr. (9.7) round out WVU’s top scorers. Freshman point guard Miles McBride leads the charge off the bench scoring 8.8 points and dishing out 2.7 assists per game.

The Mountaineers’ next game comes on the road against the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks. Tip-off from the Allen Fieldhouse is set for 4 p.m. EST.