Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
AMES, Iowa. — West Virginia rings in the New Year on the road Friday night, opening Big 12 play against undefeated and third-ranked Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum.
The Cyclones enter conference action at 13-0 following an 89-61 win over Houston Christian on Monday. Senior forward Joshua Jefferson led the way with 23 points, while Blake Buchanan pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds.
The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Saint Mary’s transfer has emerged as one of the most impactful players in the country this season. He leads Iowa State in scoring at 18.1 points per game, shooting 55.3 percent from the floor while averaging 7.1 rebounds.
“Jefferson is playing at an elite level,” Mountaineer head coach Ross Hodge said. “As good as he was last year, he’s probably got to be one of the most improved players in the country shooting the ball. He also draws fouls and kind of makes plays for others.”
Jefferson is part of a dominant frontcourt that includes 6-foot-8 junior Milan Momcilovic, who is averaging 17.9 points per game while shooting 55.1 percent overall and 53.8 percent from three-point range on 93 attempts. The duo combined for 31 points in the Cyclones’ 23-point road win at then-No. 1 Purdue on Dec. 6.
Buchanan, a 6-foot-10 junior, added 12 points and nine rebounds in that victory and is averaging 9.9 points and 6.7 boards on the season. Together, Jefferson, Momcilovic and Buchanan form one of the biggest and most productive frontcourts in college basketball.
Senior guard Tamin Lipsey adds 14.2 points per game while shooting 48.7 percent from the floor, and freshman Killyan Toure is contributing 11 points per game in the backcourt.
“Momcilovic is one of the best shooters in the country and Lipsey is experience at the point and they play really well together,” Hodge said. “They play with good pace and their good.”
Under head coach T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State has built its success around defense. The Cyclones are forcing 17.9 turnovers per game and holding opponents to 62.8 points per contest, ranking 10th nationally in scoring defense.
“A lot what they do starts with their defense,” Hodge said. “They are one of the best defensive teams in the country. They do an elite job of turning your turnovers into points.
“They lead the country in turnover percentage; they are turning people over about 25% of the time so one out of every four offensive possessions they are turning you over.”
Defense has also been the calling card for Hodge in his first season with the Mountaineers. WVU ranks fifth nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 60.2 points per game. The Mountaineers limited Mississippi Valley State to 51 points in its most recent outing, an 86-51 win on Dec. 22 that pushed its record to 9-4.
Seven different players have led the team in scoring this season, with five players topping the 20-point mark in a game. Senior guard Honor Huff has been the most consistent, averaging a team-best 17.5 points per game while knocking down 53 three-pointers — second-most in the country. Huff led the nation with 131 made triples last season at Chattanooga.
Chance Moore, who missed the Mississippi Valley State game while under the weather, scored 16 points in his season debut against Clemson and is averaging 12.3 points per game off the bench.
Friday marks WVU’s 11th Big 12 road opener in the last 14 seasons. The Mountaineers are 7-6 all-time in conference openers and opened league play last season by upsetting No. 7 Kansas in Lawrence.
WVU leads the all-time series with Iowa State 15-10 and has won five times at Hilton Coliseum, including three of its last five trips to Ames.
The Mountaineers will be without senior Brenen Lorient.
Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
