The Kansas Jayhawks and the West Virginia Mountaineers continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Morgantown, WV.
Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. central. Iowa State (15-1, 5-0 in Big 12) is ranked No. 2 in the latest AP Top 25. West Virginia (12-4, 3-2) is not ranked.
Iowa State cleaned Kansas’ clock earlier this week, re-affirming its status as the best team in the conference. The Cyclones did it without forward Milam Momcilovic, who is out for several weeks with a hand injury. Iowa State didn’t miss a beat
West Virginia has turned itself into an NCAA Tournament team in coach Darian DeVries’ first season. The Mountaineers still haven’t gotten guard Tucker DeVries back from injury yet, but Amani Hansberry is back and giving them good minutes off the bench.
Plus, the Mountaineers are honoring Jerry West and they’re wearing throwbacks and we need to start a dialogue about how awesome these are.
Here is a preview of Saturday’s game.
How to Watch Iowa State vs. West Virginia
Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
Time: 4 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN+
Site: WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, WV
Iowa State vs. West Virginia Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Iowa State -6.5
Current Line: Iowa State -6.5
Over/Under: 137.5
Iowa State vs. West Virginia Predictions
So how did ISU figure out life without Momcilovic? Coach T.J. Otzelberger started their sixth man Curtis Jones, and he went off with 25 points, but that’s not that unusual lately. The Cyclones slid Dishon Jackson to the bench and he finished with 17 points and four rebounds.
Nate Heise got more run, playing 17 minutes. While he didn’t score a point, he finished with three steals, tied for more in the game guard Tamin Lipsey.
So, at least in the short term, the Cyclones have the coverage to live without him.
The Mountaineers have looked better in the frontcourt this season, but Houston’s J’Wan Roberts showed that WVU isn’t invulnerable. He scored 22 points and set the tone in the Cougars’ double-digit victory.
The Cougars also showed teams can slow down guard Javon Small, and that’s a key to beating the Mountaineers. He played 38 minutes and only scored 13 points. Houston is one of the best defensive teams in the conference.
Another one of the best defenses is Iowa State. WVU will have to find a way to get Small uncorked against one of the most stifling defenses in the country. If they can, they have a shot to win.
Morgantown is a tough place to play, even if one is as good as Iowa State. WVU is hoping for a Cyclones letdown after a huge game against Kansas. I don’t think it’s going to happen.
Iowa State 75, West Virginia 68
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Iowa State (70.8% Chance of Winning)
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
