Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia returns home Monday night looking to reset after a draining double-overtime loss to Ohio State in the Cleveland Hoops Showdown.
The Mountaineers dropped an 89-88 decision to the Buckeyes last Saturday, their fourth loss in the last seven games, but the calendar may finally be working in their favor. WVU is in the middle of a stretch with just one game in 19 days as it closes nonconference play and prepares for the start of Big 12 action.
Mississippi Valley State arrives in Morgantown still searching for momentum. The Delta Devils have lost 10 straight games and are coming off a 96-49 setback at Florida State on Friday. Their lone victory this season came against Division III Mississippi University for Women, and Mississippi Valley State currently sits at the bottom of the NET rankings while being outscored by an average of 25.3 points per game.
WVU’s identity has been built on defense under first-year head coach Ross Hodge, and the numbers back it up. The Mountaineers rank fifth nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 60.9 points per game, and are holding opponents to 39.9% shooting from the field. WVU has also been disciplined defensively, ranking second in the Big 12 in fewest fouls per game.
Meanwhile, the Delta Devils have struggled to slow opponents. Mississippi Valley State is giving up 90.7 points per game and allowing an average of 10.5 made 3-pointers per contest, an area that could be costly against a Mountaineer team that spaces the floor well.
Senior guard Honor Huff continues to pace WVU offensively. Huff has scored 24 points in three straight games and leads the team at 17.8 points per game while averaging 4.1 made 3-pointers. He leads the country with 49 made triples this season and was named to the Big 12 Starting Five on Dec. 15.
Mississippi Valley State’s offense revolves around junior guard Michael James, who is averaging 20.6 points per game while shooting 36.7 percent from beyond the arc. James accounts for a large share of the Delta Devils’ production and also leads the team in steals.
The Mountaineers have found balance beyond Huff. Chance Moore provides a spark off the bench, averaging 12.3 points and a team-best 6.1 rebounds per game. Brenen Lorient adds 10.9 points and 5.9 rebounds, while Treysen Eaglestaff and Jasper Floyd both average more than eight points per contest. Floyd leads the Big 12 in steals, and Lorient ranks among the league leaders in blocks.
Mississippi Valley State is 0-8 on the road and has struggled in lopsided games, posting a 1-9 record in contests decided by double figures. The Delta Devils are averaging 65.3 points per game, slightly above what WVU typically allows, but face one of the most efficient defensive units in the country.
The Mountaineers are 8-0 at home this season and have been dominant against nonconference opponents in Morgantown. WVU has won 151 of their last 164 home nonconference games and 91 of its last 99 home games played in December.
WVU leads the all-time series with Mississippi Valley State 2-0, with both meetings coming at Hope Coliseum. The most recent matchup ended in a 107-66 Mountaineer win in 2016.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST as the Mountaineers look to bounce back and build momentum heading into Big 12 play.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
