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WVU Basketball: The Mountaineers Colossal Loss At Kansas

By Phil Poling

Jan 26, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins argues a call during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at the WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins argues a call during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at the WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers forward Esa Ahmad (23) drives to the basket while Virginia Tech Hokies guard Jalen Hudson (23) and guard Devin Wilson (11) defend in the first half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers forward Esa Ahmad (23) drives to the basket while Virginia Tech Hokies guard Jalen Hudson (23) and guard Devin Wilson (11) defend in the first half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /

When the ‘Hawks play good D but I score willingly, that’s Ahmad’e

I’m not sure what it is about the Kansas Jayhawks, but Esa Ahmad enjoys the matchup. He poured in a career-high 27 points in their first meeting, and in their loss Monday scored 20 and grabbed seven rebounds.

Twice this season has he scored 20 or more; both at the hands of the Jayhawks. Between their first meeting on Jan. 24 and Big Monday though, Ahmad’s play was anything but stellar.

Following that 27-point career-high, Ahmad would post 14, 14, 0, 9 and 11 the next five games. The goose-egg came against Oklahoma State in a loss, the Mountaineers fifth of the season before falling to Kansas.

Ahmad is an elite-level talent…in games where he shows up. A “top-50 recruit out of high school”, although I’m finding a bit different. But that’s what you hear every big game because that’s all the announcers can tell you about West Virginia. We’ve never gotten the attention or respect we deserve, anyways. If Ahmad can consistently exert this type of effort moving forward though, West Virginia will be a tough out in the Big 12 Tournament. Seriously. Who can’t they beat?

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