WVU vs. Kansas State: NCAA Tournament Implications & Key Matchup Preview

MANHATTAN, KS – West Virginia travels to Bramlage Coliseum Tuesday night to face Kansas State, with both teams seeking crucial wins to bolster their postseason aspirations. The Mountaineers (17-12) aim to build on Saturday’s 79-71 upset of No. 19 BYU, while the Wildcats (11-18) attempt to recover from a 77-68 loss to TCU.

Kansas State is navigating a period of transition following the mid-February firing of head coach Jerome Tang. Interim coach Matthew Driscoll secured an initial victory with a 90-74 win over Baylor, but has since experienced losses to Texas Tech, Colorado, and TCU. The Wildcats’ recent struggles underscore the challenges of a coaching change mid-season.

Against TCU, Kansas State guards PJ Haggerty and Nate Johnson combined for 34 points in the defeat. Forward Khamari McGriff, absent during the teams’ earlier matchup in Morgantown – a 59-54 West Virginia victory – has returned to the lineup. McGriff contributed eight points and three rebounds before fouling out against the Horned Frogs and is expected to provide support alongside Taj Manning in the paint, attempting to limit West Virginia’s success near the basket.

The Mountaineers shot 11-for-13 from close range in the first meeting between the teams. Kansas State may also regain the services of 6-foot-7 wing shooter Abdi Bashir Jr., who has been sidelined for over a month with a stress fracture in his foot. A return for Bashir would add 13.2 points per game and a 44.4% three-point shooting threat to the Wildcats’ offense.

Haggerty currently ranks third in the nation in scoring, averaging 23.3 points per game, trailing only BYU’s AJ Dybantsa (24.9 ppg) and East Carolina’s Jordan Riley (24.0 ppg). West Virginia successfully limited Dybantsa to a season-low performance in their recent victory. Haggerty scored 16 points in the first contest against West Virginia on January 27th.

West Virginia is currently ranked 58th in the NCAA NET rankings as of March 4th, and is seeking wins to improve its NCAA Tournament prospects. According to ESPN.com, several teams are positioned near the tournament cut line, with Ohio State holding the best NET ranking at 34. Seven other teams vying for a bid rank between 42nd and 64th, placing the Mountaineers within contention.

The game is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. EST and will be streamed on ESPN+ with Ben Boyle, Stan Weber, Sophie Smith and Hannah Whetstone on the call. Mountaineer Sports Network radio coverage, featuring Tony Caridi, Brad Howe, and David Kahn, will begin at 7 p.m. On various stations throughout West Virginia, as well as online platforms.

Following the Kansas State game, West Virginia will conclude its regular season Friday night against UCF at Hope Coliseum.