Big 12 Midseason Showdown: West Virginia Hosts Colorado in Key Conference Clash
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Two teams sitting at 2-2 in Big 12 play will battle for separation on Saturday evening when West Virginia welcomes Colorado to Hope Coliseum for a 6 p.m. tip. With both squads trying to gain traction in a deep and competitive conference, this matchup has the feel of a tone-setter for the second half of the season.
Colorado (12-5 overall) arrives in Morgantown looking to bounce back after a tough 77-68 loss at Cincinnati on Wednesday night. The Bearcats jumped on the Buffaloes early and never looked back, handing Colorado its second straight conference loss. But don’t let that fool you - this Buffaloes squad is more than capable of flipping the script.
Their two Big 12 wins have come on the road at Arizona State and at home against Utah, and they nearly pulled off a statement win last weekend against No. 15 Texas Tech, falling just short in a 73-71 nail-biter.
Isaiah Johnson: The Freshman Flying Under the Radar
While much of the national spotlight in the Big 12 has been fixed on high-profile freshmen like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Kingston Flemings, Colorado’s Isaiah Johnson is quietly putting together a campaign that deserves just as much attention.
The freshman guard out of Los Angeles is leading the Buffaloes in scoring at 16.1 points per game, and he’s doing it with remarkable efficiency. Johnson is shooting 51.7% from the field, a blistering 45.6% from three, and converting 81.9% of his free throws. He’s also getting to the line about seven times per game - a sign of his aggressive, downhill style and ability to create contact.
West Virginia head coach Ross Hodge took notice.
“There has been a lot of talk about the other freshmen in our league, but [Johnson's] having a freshman year that’s right on par with all those guys,” Hodge said during this week’s United Bank Playbook.
Colorado’s Length and Versatility a Challenge
It’s not just Johnson that makes Colorado dangerous. The Buffaloes bring one of the tallest starting lineups in college basketball into Morgantown, anchored by 7-foot junior center Bangot Dak. Alongside him are 6-foot-11 sophomore Sebastian Rancik and 6-foot-10 senior Elijah Moore, forming a frontcourt that can dominate the glass and protect the rim.
Dak and Rancik are combining for 24.8 points and 13.3 rebounds per game, while Moore - a 270-pound interior presence - adds 6.1 points in just 17 minutes per contest. That kind of size gives Colorado the flexibility to play multiple styles.
“They have versatile parts offensively, and they can kind of play a couple different ways,” Hodge said. “When [Moore] is in the game, they can pound it into him, and when he comes out, they get into more of a versatile five-out look that opens up driving opportunities and kick-out 3s.”
Junior guard Barrington Hargress is another key piece, averaging 13.6 points per game and giving Colorado another scoring option in the backcourt. Freshmen Alon Mitchell (9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds) and Josiah Sanders (4.6 points, 2.5 rebounds) have also contributed meaningfully to the Buffs’ 12 wins this season.
Offensively, this team can light it up. The Buffaloes are putting up 84.5 points per game and have topped the 80-point mark 12 times already this year. Expect tempo, ball movement, and a team that can score in bunches.
Defensively, they’ll show a variety of looks, including a soft press that falls back into zone - a tactic designed to throw off rhythm and force teams to adapt on the fly.
Mountaineers Looking to Protect Home Court
West Virginia (11-6 overall) finds itself in a three-way tie with Colorado and Kansas for seventh place in the Big 12 standings. With a tough two-game road trip looming next week - first at Arizona State, then at No. 1 Arizona - Saturday’s home game is a critical opportunity for the Mountaineers to hold serve in front of their fans.
The game also marks a milestone of sorts: Colorado will become the 200th different non-exhibition opponent to play at Hope Coliseum, adding to the rich history of the Mountaineers’ home court.
West Virginia will debut new white home uniforms on Saturday, inspired by the 1959 throwbacks the team wore last season. While the design nods to the past, the color scheme reflects the modern look of the program today.
Adding to the occasion is Varsity Club alumni weekend, with a large group of former players expected to be in attendance. The first 5,000 fans through the doors will receive a complimentary jersey koozie, adding a festive touch to what’s shaping up to be a high-stakes evening.
“It’s alumni weekend, so we will have a lot of former Mountaineers in town, and you always want to represent them well,” Hodge said.
Sadly, the Mountaineer family will be missing one of its own. Former West Virginia player Dave Allara, who was scheduled to attend the weekend’s events, passed away suddenly earlier this week. Allara played three seasons for WVU under coaches Joedy Gardner and Gale Catlett from 1977 to 1979.
How to Watch and Listen
Fans can catch the game live on CBS Sports Network, with Andrew Catalon and Steve Lappas on the call. Radio coverage from the Mountaineer Sports Network begins at 5 p.m., led by Tony Caridi, Brad Howe, and studio host David Kahn. The broadcast will be available on stations throughout West Virginia, as well as online via WVUsports.com, the Varsity Network, and the WVU Gameday apps.
A limited number of tickets remain and can be purchased through the Mountaineer Ticket Office at WVUGAME.com.
With two evenly matched teams, high-level freshmen, and a lot on the line in the Big 12 race, Saturday night in Morgantown promises to be a must-watch.