WVU Men’s Hoops History With Big XII Opponents
By Ken Durbin
Kansas State (1-1 all-time)
The Mountaineers have only played the Wildcats twice before, but have recent history to motivate a rivalry.
Dec 31, 2012; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard Will Spradling (55) brings the ball up court against the South Dakota Coyotes during the second half at Bramlage Coliseum. Kansas State defeated South Dakota 70-50. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Coach Bob Huggins spent one season manning the ship at Kansas State for the 2006-2007 season.
Huggins had intentions of building a contender in Manhattan, but could not ignore the opportunity to return to his alma mater when the head coaching position opened up at WVU.
K-State was willing to match the 5-year, $5 million offer from West Virginia, but they must have realized that their efforts were in vain.
With Huggins having spurned KSU, there is certainly room for a rivalry. That was proven when they played this past season when the two matched-up in Wichita. That game, was hotly contested, needing two overtimes to determine a winner. Ultimately, Huggins led the Mountaineers to a gritty 85-80 victory in 2OT.
The only other match-up between the two teams came in 1949, when Kansas State fell to WVU in Morgantown, 49-44.
The two will play in Morgantown on January 12 and then again in Manhattan February 18.