Bob Huggins and Bill Self have met many times before, but Wednesday’s matchup in Morgantown, W.Va., might have a different look to it with both teams playing different styles than in seasons past.
For Kansas, 7-footer Udoka Azubuike is the low-post centerpiece and leads all of college basketball among qualifying players in field-goal shooting percentage at .759. His averages of 13 points and 9.7 rebounds per game will be put to the test, though, against West Virginia’s low-post duo of Derek Culver and Oscar Tshiebwe.
This tandem for West Virginia is one of just two in college basketball in which each player averages at least 8.9 rebounds per game. That production is a big reason the Mountaineers are rated fourth in the country in fewest points-per-possession allowed.
Kansas is not far behind in points-per-possession allowed, ranking seventh in that category. With both teams also ranking in the top 17 in opponents’ 3-point shooting percentage, we likely will see a lot of missed shots on both ends.
Add to it all West Virginia abandoning the pressing style this year to feature its low-post duo, and you have a recipe for what should be a tight, low-scoring affair.
The play: Kansas-West Virginia, Under 134¹/₂ points.