I think this is a letdown spot for the Jayhawks, who historically struggle in Morgantown and lost there last year. Upcoming games against Kentucky and Baylor hold more significance, and they are facing a Mountaineers club eager to redeem a couple of disappointing performances. The Mountaineers have the motivational edge, a massive home-court advantage and a history of success at home against the Jayhawks. I'm not going to lay points here, but I think West Virgina gets the win.

The Mountainers’ stick-to-‘em defense is their calling card. Kansas has the ideal antidote -- the nation’s best pair of guards, veterans Frank Mason and Devonte’ Graham. This is hardly Kansas’ favorite place to play -- it lost as the top-ranked team last year -- but I’ll take points and a team with 18 consecutive straight-up wins over one with two straight losses. West Virginia’s mini-slump can be traced to a decline in steals and ex-top scorer Esa Ahmad’s 8-for-24 shooting in the past four games.