West Virginia Looks to Defend Undefeated Home Record Against Injury-Plagued Kansas State
The West Virginia Mountaineers aim to continue their dominance at Hope Coliseum on Tuesday,January 27,2026,as they host a Kansas State Wildcats team grappling with important injuries. Tip-off is scheduled for Hope Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia, with the Mountaineers currently favored by 7.5 points.
West Virginia (13-7, 4-3 Big 12) returns home seeking to rebound from a challenging road trip, while Kansas State (10-10, 1-6 Big 12) arrives shorthanded but resolute. Despite their record, the Wildcats’ struggles are largely attributed to a wave of injuries impacting their rotation and overall team dynamic.
Kansas State recently posted a season-low 62 points in a loss to Kansas, but the game underscored the offensive threat posed by PJ Haggerty. The standout guard is averaging a remarkable 23.4 points per game, ranking fifth nationally, and excels at exploiting defensive vulnerabilities. “When PJ Haggerty is on the floor, the offense always has a chance,” one analyst noted.
However, containing Haggerty is only part of the equation for West Virginia. The Mountaineers must also limit the contributions of Kansas State’s supporting shooters, including David Castillo, Nate Johnson, and Andrej Kostic, who have demonstrated the ability to score when given opportunities. the Wildcats’ ability to space the floor and allow Haggerty to operate effectively presents a significant challenge.
Further complicating matters for Kansas State is a depleted frontcourt. Key players Khamari McGriff and Elias Rapieque are currently sidelined with injuries, and wing Abdi Bashir Jr.is recovering from foot surgery. This has forced coach Jerome Tang to rely on a smaller group of players, perhaps simplifying the offensive approach and increasing their reliance on Haggerty. “That can sometimes make teams more perilous,” a source close to the program commented.
West Virginia, in contrast, boasts one of the nation’s strongest home records. The Mountaineers are undefeated in 12 games at Hope Coliseum, outscoring opponents by an average of over 21 points per game. Their defensive prowess is notably impressive, holding opponents to just 36.7% shooting and maintaining a +7.2 rebounding margin on their home court.
Offensively,WVU distributes the scoring load effectively. Honor Huff leads the team with 16.3 points per game,but Treysen Eaglestaff,Brennen Lorient,and Chance Moore consistently contribute in double figures. Moore’s performance off the bench provides coach Hodge with valuable lineup versatility.
Here’s a statistical comparison of the two teams:
| Category | West Virginia | Kansas State |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 13-7 (4-3 Big 12) | 10-10 (1-6 Big 12) |
| Points Per Game | 78.5 | 72.1 |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 67.2 | 75.8 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 38.9 | 34.5 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 47.8% | 43.2% |
| Three-Point Percentage | 35.1% | 32.5% |
