West Virginia is learning how to weather the storm in the Big 12 - and head coach Ross Hodge likes what he's seeing from his team, even when the scoreboard doesn’t tell the full story.
The Mountaineers (13-7, 4-3 Big 12) just wrapped up a tough two-game swing through Arizona, where they picked up their first road win of the season with a 75-63 victory over Arizona State. That win was a confidence booster - a sign that this group can take its show on the road and come away with results. But the celebration didn’t last long.
Three days later, they ran into a buzzsaw in No. 1 Arizona, who handed them a humbling 88-53 loss. It was a reminder of just how unforgiving this conference schedule can be, especially when you're facing top-ranked talent in hostile environments.
Still, Hodge came away encouraged - not by the scoreboard, but by how his team responded when things got tough.
“We stayed connected despite the outcome of the game, which is what I challenge them to do,” Hodge said. “You have a great win on the road Wednesday against Arizona State and you're celebrating and you love each other.
Then you come in here and you get your tail whipped. You have to be able to do both the same.”
That kind of mental toughness - staying together through the highs and the lows - is something Hodge is trying to instill in a group that’s still finding its identity. And for the most part, he felt like his guys did just that, even when Arizona jumped out to a 20-point halftime lead and never looked back.
As they return home to Morgantown for a matchup with Kansas State (10-10, 1-6), the Mountaineers are leaning on a balanced offensive attack that’s been quietly consistent all season.
Honor Huff continues to lead the way, averaging 16.3 points per game as the team’s primary scoring option. He’s been the engine of this offense, but he’s far from alone.
Treysen Eaglestaff (10.6), Brenen Lorient (10.5), and Chance Moore (10.2) are all averaging double figures, giving West Virginia a well-rounded scoring core that can hurt defenses in different ways. Lorient also anchors the paint with a team-high 26 blocks, providing some much-needed rim protection.
And then there’s Jasper Floyd - the glue guy. His numbers (6.9 points, 3.0 assists, 1.9 steals) don’t leap off the page, but his impact on both ends of the floor is undeniable. He’s the facilitator, the defender, the guy who makes the little plays that don’t always show up in the box score but help win games.
On the other side, Kansas State is trying to stop the bleeding. The Wildcats dropped their sixth loss in seven games on Saturday, an 86-62 home defeat to in-state rival Kansas. It was a tough pill to swallow for a program that’s seen better days under head coach Jerome Tang.
Tang made a splash in his first season, leading the Wildcats to the Elite Eight in 2022-23 and building a strong home-court advantage with a 40-9 record at Bramlage Coliseum over his first three seasons. But Saturday’s loss dropped him to 29-34 in Big 12 play - and the frustration is starting to show.
“You never want to see anybody celebrate on your court,” Tang said. “It sucks to see them do it.
It really, really sucks to see them do it. I haven't experienced that before, and it is not a good feeling.
Not at all.”
Despite the struggles, Kansas State still has one of the most electric scorers in the country in PJ Haggerty. The junior guard is putting up 23.4 points and 4.5 assists per game, ranking fifth nationally in scoring. He’s been the lone bright spot in what’s been a rough stretch for the Wildcats, and if they’re going to turn things around, it’ll start with him.
As West Virginia looks to build on its momentum and Kansas State searches for answers, Monday night in Morgantown sets the stage for a matchup between two teams heading in different directions - but both hungry for a win.