WVU Men’s Basketball: What’s At Stake This Week

Bob Huggins team has two very important games remaining on the regular season schedule.  WVU plays Oklahoma in Norman on Wednesday night, then returns to Morgantown to face Kansas on Saturday afternoon.

Big 12 conference tournament seeding and a post-season bid both ride on the Mountaineers performance this week.  Here's a quick rundown on what's at stake:

WVU wins both games to finish 18-13, 10-8 in Big 12 play:

If this happens, WVU would most likely be seeded sixth going into Kansas City.  This is because of tiebreaker rules.  Kansas State takes the tiebreaker because they beat Texas (WVU did not).  The Mountaineers would play Oklahoma in the conference tournament quarterfinals.  Big 12 standings would most likely look like this based upon the following assumptions:

WVU defeats Kansas (but loses to Oklahoma) to finish 17-14, 9-9 in Big 12 play:

If this happens, WVU would most likely still be seeded sixth, but would play Texas in Kansas City.  Oklahoma takes second place from Texas due to their head to head victories.  Big 12 standings would most likely look like this:

WVU defeats Oklahoma (but loses to Kansas) to finish 17-14, 9-9 in Big 12 play:

If this happens, WVU would most likely still be seeded sixth and still play the Sooners in Kansas City.  Big 12 standings would most likely look like this:

WVU loses both games to finish 16-15, 8-10 in Big 12 play:

If this scenario occurs, WVU drops to eighth place and plays Texas Tech in the opening round of the Big 12 tournament.  WVU drops to eighth place because of its record against both Oklahoma State (two heartbreaking losses) and Baylor (WVU went 1-1).  Big 12 standings would most likely look like this:

WVU played Tech last season in Kansas City, losing to the Red Raiders 71-69 on a last second tip in of a missed three point attempt.

Obviously, the best case scenario would be for WVU to win both games this week, setting up a shootout against the Sooners in Kansas City.  WVU defeated Oklahoma in overtime earlier this season in Morgantown, 91-86.  WVU was also very much in the game at Kansas before eventually falling 83-69.  At 18-13, WVU would definitely be a top three seed in the NIT.  A third victory over Oklahoma (very difficult to beat a team three consecutive times in a season) would again put WVU in the NCAA bubble conversation.

WVU most likely needs 17 victories to make the NIT, so a win this week or against Tech in Kansas City is essential to attain a post-season invitation.

Additionally, Mountaineer Nation needs to root for Iowa State and Kansas State, while rooting against Oklahoma State and Baylor.  The Cowboys need to lose at Iowa State for WVU to remain ahead of them.  It would benefit WVU greatly for Baylor to lose its last two games against Iowa State and at Kansas State.  If both Oklahoma State and Baylor win out, then WVU must win both of its games this week to stay ahead of them.

March Madness...gotta love it.

As always...Let's Go, Mountaineers!