WVU basketball: Team improves to 2-0 in Big 12 by topping KSU

The new year started off right for the WVU basketball team as it earned a 77-69 win against Kansas State on the road.

The Mountaineers improved to 2-0 in Big 12 Conference play and have now won 13-straight contests after losing the first one of the season. Things are looking up for this talented team. The win was about as well-rounded as any team could ask for, especially playing on the road.

West Virginia was led in scoring by freshman Teddy Allen who seems to be playing more aggressive each time he steps on the court. The fearless offensive standout led the way with 22 points in just 19 minutes of play.

Backing up Allen was Lamont West, who scored 19 points. To the casual fan who didn’t catch the game, seeing names other than seniors Jevon Carter and Daxter Miles may be simply confusing. The Mountaineers used some new offensive sets that spread the game out from the two guys who have gotten the WVU basketball this far in a successful season.

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Carter had eight points and Miles had 10. By giving other players the scoring chances, it really paced the Mountaineers to be more balanced on offense. This is especially important to beef up these secondary scorers as the games get harder and harder.

The defensive effort by the WVU basketball team was strong as Carter and Miles each nabbed three steals apiece. But the Mountaineers actually had more turnovers than the Wildcats. KSU committed 15 turnovers and the WVU basketball team coughed it up 18 times. Teams in the Big 12 are starting to develop a smarter gameplan for the Mountaineers and it began with Oklahoma State on Friday. If the opposition can match the defensive pressure, it will be hard for the WVU offense to get going.

But by finding secondary scorers, like Allen and West, the WVU basketball team will be fine moving forward. Inside, the WVU basketball team outrebounded KSU, 29-17, and Carter actually had the most for the Mountaineers with eight boards.

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With the loss, Kansas State is now 11-3. After beating Iowa State to open the conference slate, this was KSU’s first Big 12 loss. West Virginia will look to keep the conference at bay with a huge match up against Oklahoma on Saturday.