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WVU basketball moves up in final week

By Matthew Peaslee

Feb 27, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins (C) reacts fro the sidelines during a time out during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins (C) reacts fro the sidelines during a time out during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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After two wins, the WVU basketball team has moved ahead in the rankings.

It’s the final week of the regular season and the Mountaineers find themselves in the Top 10 in the Associated Press poll.

Related Story: WVU basketball: All-Time Mountaineers team

Staying in the rankings is, basically, what Bob Huggins-led basketball teams do. This is the 23rd week the Mountaineers have been in the Top 25 under Huggins.

Along with the Mountaineers, the Big 12 Conference sports six teams in the Top 25, the most of any other league.

Kansas is back to the No. 1 spot for the first time since January. On Jan. 12, the Mountaineers beat the Jayhawks, 74-63. Kansas was then the top team in the country. After that win at the WVU Coliseum, West Virginia student section earned billing as the best court-storm after an upset victory.

Related Story: 33 years apart: WVU basketball wins over top teams

There’s no more time for an upset with the Mountaineers this season, as they are now the hunted.

On Wednesday, the WVU basketball team will welcome Texas Tech (18-10) and on Saturday, the Mountaineers will travel to Baylor (21-8).

Feb 27, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins (C) reacts fro the sidelines during a time out during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins (C) reacts fro the sidelines during a time out during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /

At 22-7 and 11-5 in the conference, West Virginia sits at second in the Big 12. The Bears are third with a conference record of 10-6. Texas and Oklahoma also have 10-6 records.

The Jayhawks (25-4) are No. 1 in the country and No. 1 in the conference.  In the Big 12, Kansas is 13-3. This week, Kansas plays at Texas and at home to Iowa State.

In order for the Mountaineers to earn a at least a share of the regular season conference crown, the Jayhawks will have to lose both games and the Mountaineers will have to, obviously, win both of their games.

Nothing is guaranteed, especially in the Big 12. Baylor has four losses at home, while Kansas hasn’t lost a home game since a 61-57 setback to San Diego State on Jan. 5, 2014.

No matter what, the Mountaineers are in a good position heading into the most important portion of the season, tournament time.

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