Emmitt Matthews Jr. looks to break out of slump against No. 22 Texas Tech

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Emmitt Matthew Jr.’s dunk against Tariq Owens and his career-high 28 points against Texas Tech in the 2019 Big 12 tournament was a highlight of what was otherwise mostly a forgettable season.

The sophomore forward is quick to point out that so much has changed since that game.

“I’m sure they’ll watch that film and make some adjustments to what happened last year,” Matthews said Friday, as the No. 17 Mountaineers (12-2, 1-1 Big 12) prepared for Saturday’s 6 p.m. home game against No. 22 Texas Tech. “I’ve added new stuff to my game to adjust to what I was doing last year. That’s really all I can say about that. It’s a whole new season since then.”

Two different teams, too.

West Virginia’s changes have come with an improved defense that leads the Big 12 in opponents’ field goal shooting, as well as impacts from freshmen Oscar Tshiebwe and Miles McBride, as well as transfer Gabe Osabuohien’s impact on defense.

Texas Tech (10-4, 1-1) underwent a near complete overhaul of its roster since falling to Virginia in last season’s national championship game.

Owens and fellow big man Norense Odiase graduated, as did sharp-shooting guard Matt Mooney.

Jarrett Culver is now in the middle of his rookie season with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In their place is five freshmen and two graduate transfers, who have all fell into a role that has the Red Raiders contending again in the Big 12.

That doesn’t surprise Matthews in the least, considering the impact of freshman guard Jahmi’us Ramsey has had at Texas Tech.

Ramsey is second in the Big 12 in scoring at 17.7 points per game and he’s shooting 48.3% from 3-point range.

“I probably saw him play, like, 60 times going through the AAU circuit,” Matthews said. “He’s obviously talented and is a great shot maker. The way he’s played so far, he’s always had that kind of impact.”

Matthews’ impact this season for the Mountaineers has seen him develop into a better rebounder and 3-point shooter, although he’s struggled some in both areas over his last four games.

“My confidence over the past few games has still been there,” he said. “I just feel like I’m in a little bit of a slump. As of the past few days, I’ve been hitting shots. Me being able to see it go in in practice, I think will translate into the game.”

In an effort to change things up, Matthews went with a braided cornrows hairstyle during WVU’s two-game road swing to start Big 12 play.

Apparently it wasn’t the biggest hit among his 5,500 followers on Twitter, sparking Matthews to go back to his original look.

“lol the hairs back relax everybody,” he tweeted on Tuesday.

As for the slump, “I think a lot of it is confidence,” WVU head coach Bob Huggins said. “It’s amazing when a ball goes what happens to your confidence.

“He shot it really well early. He was one of the guys who carried us early and then he just started missing shots. He’s missing everything short and he’s not getting it over the rim. For the most part, it’s on line, it’s just not going over the rim.”

TWEET @bigjax3211