Latest:
Rock Chalk Blog
Elijah-Johnson-West-Virginia
Game PreviewsKansas Basketball

Jayhawks take on Mountaineers at the Phog

@CrimsonBlueKU

Still tied for the lead in the Big 12 standings, No. 5/6 Kansas (24-4, 12-3 Big 12) faces West Virginia (13-15, 6-9 Big 12) Saturday in yet another pivotal game. The Jayhawks narrowly defeated West Virginia 61-56 January 28 and will need to build on that performance to emerge victorious a second time.

Elijah Johnson had one of the best games ever by a Jayhawk Monday in a controversial 108-96 overtime victory over Iowa State. Johnson scored a jaw-dropping 39 points and dished out seven assists to lead Kansas to a sixth consecutive victory. Kansas has returned to normal since their three-game losing streak to begin February (which began immediately after Kansas last played West Virginia), and looks ready for a successful March and April.

West Virginia has struggled this season. There is no way around it. Two games under .500 and with little to no chance for an NCAA tournament bid, coach Bob Huggins has to be ready for the 2012-2013 season to come to an end. The Mountaineers are on a three game losing streak, and are searching for anything that will make them successful.

Players to watch for:

Kansas:

#15 Elijah Johnson: After his aforementioned outstanding performance against Iowa State, it will be interesting to see what Johnson can do for an encore performance. If Johnson has truly figured it out, and has the confidence he displayed last March, Kansas can be absolutely unstoppable the rest of the season.

#1 Naadir Tharpe: Tharpe has been successful at times this season, mainly when he and Johnson are in the game together.  With an assist to turnover ratio of 1.5:1, Tharpe is a valuable ball handler for the occasionally turnover-prone Jayhawks. Scoring nine points Monday, Tharpe continues to improve his game in hope of being the starting point guard next season.

#40 Kevin Young: Young is 15 points away from his 1,000th career point.  Young should pick it up in the next two games. It could make for an extra special Senior Night for him on Monday against Texas Tech.

West Virginia

# 10 Eron Harris: Harris leads West Virginia in scoring with 9.3 points per game, and went off against Baylor Wednesday, scoring 25 points.  Although he only scored two points in the first meeting with Kansas, Harris is still the best offensive threat West Virginia has.

# 24 Aaric Murray: The 6-10 245 pound junior could pose problems for Jeff Withey down low, and is also second in scoring for West Virginia with 8.8 points per game. Murray scored 17 points the first time Kansas and West Virginia played, and was key in keeping his team in the game.

How I See It:

There is no reason for this game to be close.  West Virginia is reeling, and has won only three games on the road this season. Allen Fieldhouse is not the place to go for a team that cannot win on the road. Kansas is simply the better team, and will show that Saturday.

Last Time They Met:

Prediction:

Tyler Self and Evan Manning get playing time in this one, and Kansas wins a laugher 88-56.

You May Also Like

Game 34: (5) Iowa State vs. (3) Kansas – Preview and Prediction

Landen Fields
A Monday summary of what's new with your Kansas Jayhawks. Graphic by Nick Weippert.

Monday Notebook: Jayhawks back in first after wild week

Landen Fields

2014 Recruiting Talk: Chicago Edition

Rock Chalk Blog

24 thoughts on “Jayhawks take on Mountaineers at the Phog”

  • Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems
    as though you relied on the video to make your point.
    You definitely know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your
    blog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?

  • Fantastic goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and
    you are just too wonderful. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you’re stating
    and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and
    you still take care of to keep it wise.
    I can not wait to read far more from you. This is really a tremendous website.

  • Say, you got a nice blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.

  • Hey I am so happy I found your web site, I really found
    you by mistake, while I was browsing on Google for something else,
    Nonethdless Iam here now and would just like to say kudos for a
    remarkable post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design),
    I don’t havee time to read through it all at the minute but I
    have book-marked itt andd also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back too read more, Please do keep up the excellent b.

    Here is my site; affordable seo expert meaning in gujarati

  • Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as
    long as I provide credit and sources back to your webpage?
    My website is in the very same niche as yours and my users would
    genuinely benefit from a lot of the information you provide
    here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Thanks a lot!

  • I really enjoy the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.

  • Really informative article post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.

  • Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your
    web site, how could i subscribe for a blog site?
    The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea

  • I pay a visit every day a few sites and information sites to read content,
    however this blog provides feature based articles.

  • Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this website.

    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appeal.
    I must say that you’ve done a amazing job with this.
    Also, the blog loads very quick for me on Chrome. Exceptional Blog!

  • This article gives clear idea in support of the new users of blogging,
    that in fact how to do running a blog.

  • Hi there, I enjoy reading all of your post. I wanted to write a little comment to support you.

  • I’m gone to convey my little brother, that he should also visit
    this blog on regular basis to take updated from most recent
    reports.

Comments are closed.