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West Virginia's Comeback Magic Runs Out vs. Utah
21 Feb
Summary
- West Virginia lost a close game after trailing significantly.
- The team's NCAA Tournament bid is now uncertain.
- Upcoming games against TCU, Oklahoma State, and BYU are crucial.
West Virginia's NCAA Tournament hopes are hanging by a thread after a narrow 61-58 loss to Utah on Wednesday. The Mountaineers, now 16-10 overall and 7-6 in conference play, found themselves trailing by 15 points in the second half, a deficit they had overcome in previous victories. Despite a late surge that narrowed the gap to two points, they ultimately fell short against a team tied for last in the Big 12.
This defeat significantly impacts their standing with the selection committee, though ESPN.com still considers them on the bubble. Coach Ross Hodge emphasized the team's "small margin for error" and the need to avoid digging deep holes. Senior guard Honor Huff, the team's leading scorer, was held to 12 points on inefficient shooting against Utah.
Their path forward includes challenging matchups against TCU, Oklahoma State, and No. 23 BYU, games that will likely determine their postseason fate. Meanwhile, TCU, also 16-10 but 6-7 in conference, is preparing to host West Virginia. The Horned Frogs are also looking to rebound after a recent loss to UCF, with coach Jamie Dixon stressing the need to handle adversity and improve shot selection.
