West Virginia faces tall order against Texas, Charli Collier

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Kari Niblack was almost left speechless when asked about defending against Texas’ Charli Collier.

“I really don’t know what to say,” the West Virginia forward said in preparing for Saturday’s 6 p.m. game against the Longhorns in the WVU Coliseum. “She’s big.”

In truth, there has been little in the way of finding the right answers against the Longhorns center.

Wrapped up in a 6-foot-5 frame, Collier is No. 17-ranked Texas’ present and possibly the WNBA’s future.

“I saw a mock draft the other day and if she came out this year, she’d be the No. 1 draft pick,” WVU head coach Mike Carey said. “We have to be aware of where she’s at all times. We’re going to have to get people to her. She’s that good. She’s a pro player. She’s a lot quicker this year and a lot stronger.”

A year ago, Collier was a developing prospect coming into her own.

She averaged a double-double (13.1 ppg, 10.5 rpg) and was an all-Big 12 first-team selection.

Now under first-year head coach Vic Schaeffer, Collier has emerged as a top pro prospect averaging 23.4 points and 10.7 rebounds, while shooting 57% from the field.

Only a junior, Collier would be eligible for the 2021 draft, because she’ll turn 22 later this year.

“Whoever ends up guarding her better stay intense and realize they will go to her at anytime on the floor,” Carey said.

West Virginia (7-2, 1-2 Big 12) also has to deal with Texas being No. 2 in the conference in both points scored and points allowed.

“They have great talent,” WVU guard K.K. Deans said. “We have to go in and do our game plan and hopefully come out with a W.”

A 66-61 loss against No. 8 Texas A&M is the only blemish on the Longhorns’ (8-1, 2-0) record.

They’ve beaten both Kansas State and Iowa State by double figures in Big 12 play.

Yet, Carey believes his players are in a good spot to compete.

“I think we’re a pretty good team, which I don’t say that a lot,” he said. “I like this team. We can score the basketball a lot better this year than we did last year.

Now, we have to become consistent. There are going to be nights you don’t shoot well. That’s why our defense has to continue to improve.”

The Mountaineers will turn to senior guard Kysre Gondrezick, who has averaged 25 points over the last two games.

Esmery Martinez leads the Big 12 in rebounding at 13.7 boards per game and Deans has scored in double figures in every game this season but one.

“We’ll see. Texas is very talented,” Carey continued. “They’ve got great players. We’ll see where we’re at on Saturday.”

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