West Virginia Basketball: three things we learned from the loss at Baylor

MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA - JANUARY 18: Malik Curry #10 of the West Virginia Mountaineers dribbles the ball during a college basketball game against the Baylor Bears at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA - JANUARY 18: Malik Curry #10 of the West Virginia Mountaineers dribbles the ball during a college basketball game against the Baylor Bears at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
1 of 3

Monday night, West Virginia basketball took on No. 8 Baylor in an intense Big 12 contest. After the Mountaineers’ hot start, they have since lost six straight moving their overall record to 13-8 on the season. Against the Bears, the story remained the same as it has all season: West Virginia played hard but could not pull off a win.

Taz Sherman is incredible

Jan 31, 2022; Waco, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Taz Sherman (12) drives on Baylor Bears guard Matthew Mayer (24) during the first half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2022; Waco, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Taz Sherman (12) drives on Baylor Bears guard Matthew Mayer (24) during the first half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Taz Sherman, yet again, showed up and showed out as he posted a career-high 29 points against the Bears. As Baylor grew its lead in the first half, Taz Sherman made back-to-back three-point shots which helped give West Virginia the lead going into halftime.

By half time, Sherman had led the Mountaineers to a 39-31 lead with 15 points of his own by making five of his eight shots (four of which coming as three-pointers). Sherman, almost single-handedly, was keeping the Mountaineers in the game, and his special night did not stop there.

Sherman finished the game with 29 points and shot 54.5 percent from beyond the ark. Sherman’s totals were the most scored by any player that touched the floor Monday night.

Taz Sherman stepped up when his team needed him as all great players do. On the season, Sherman leads the Mountaineers in points-per-game (18.3) and assists-per-game (2.5). There is no arguing that Taz Sherman is the most electric player on the West Virginia basketball team, and Monday night, he showed why.

Sherman left the game with under three minutes remaining due to injury. He did not return.