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

By Christopher Mangum

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) /
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The Mountaineers do not have the “it” factor

MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – JANUARY 18: Isaiah Cottrell #13 of the West Virginia Mountaineers takes a jump shot 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: Isaiah Cottrell #13 of the West Virginia Mountaineers takes a jump shot 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) /

There is a universally recognized yet undefinable term in all sports: The “it” factor. This West Virginia basketball team does not have “it.” Even with an impressive lead over a top-10 Big 12 opponent, the Mountaineers could not hold on and eventually let the lead slip away.

Everything went right for West Virginia against Baylor. The team’s best scorer posted a career-high in points, Baylor looked uncoordinated and off their game, and the team played with more heart than usual. Yet even with all of these factors, the Mountaineers still had turnovers, rebounding issues, and momentum swings that allowed Baylor to stick around.

The Mountaineers now have a 13-8 record and will play at home against back-to-back ranked opponents. As of right now, West Virginia is out of the NCAA tournament in March. If the Mountaineers are not careful and do not break their losing streak soon, they may not make the NIT tournament either.

Though West Virginia showed heart against Baylor, they still could not upset the Bears and end their losing streak.

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