Head coach Jerome Tang and the Kansas State Wildcats are eager to change their fortunes as they prepare to face the West Virginia Mountaineers on the road. The Wildcats, currently sitting at 10-10 overall with a 1-6 record in Big 12 play, recently suffered a disappointing defeat against Indiana, where they lost after a significant late-game run from their opponents. PJ Haggarty brought the score to 59-55 with 7:52 left, but Kansas State couldn’t maintain momentum, ultimately falling in a game that highlighted their struggles.
This time last season, the Wildcats were in a similar predicament with a record of 7-11 and 1-6 in conference play. They managed to pull off an unexpected victory against a top-25 West Virginia team, igniting a streak that concluded with a respectable 8-5 finish to the season. However, their current situation poses a greater challenge, as they lack the cohesion of last year’s squad, appearing disoriented and struggling to find their rhythm.
Despite having upcoming home games against Cincinnati and Baylor that seem winnable, the Wildcats’ earlier season performance has created doubt about their potential to replicate last year’s mid-season turnaround. West Virginia, under the guidance of first-year head coach Ross Hodge, is 13-7 and has a perfect record at home this season, which adds another layer of difficulty for Kansas State. Although the Mountaineers are not currently ranked, they have shown resilience and capability, including a notable win over Kansas.
The Wildcats will need to focus on improving their defensive performance to make the game competitive. So far this season, they have struggled to contain opposing offenses, allowing significant scoring. Their recent win over a weak Utah team did little to build confidence and raises concerns about their ability to defend against higher-caliber teams like West Virginia.
The matchup is set for a 7:37 PM CT tip-off at the newly-renamed Hope Coliseum in Morgantown, with the game broadcast on FS1 and available for streaming. For those unable to access those services, play-by-play coverage will be provided across the K-State Sports Network.
As Kansas State heads into this critical game, fans will be hoping for an inspired performance that could signal a turnaround in the season. The Wildcats have the opportunity to make a statement against a formidable West Virginia team, and a strong showing could reignite their confidence moving forward in Big 12 play.