MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — No. 14 West Virginia will only have a limited gathering of immediate family members of coaches and players inside the Coliseum Saturday, when the Mountaineers host No. 4 Texas.
The school made the announcement Wednesday, which is a continuation of its policy from December.
WVU will not allow fans inside the Coliseum for men’s and women’s games through Jan. 24, the press release said, and policies after that date will be announced later.
The WVU men’s team does have two home games scheduled this month after Jan. 24 — against Texas Tech on the 25th and against Florida on the 30th.
“We continue to be disappointed not to allow fans at our home indoor events, but quite frankly, COVID-19 is not yet under control,” Director of Athletics Shane Lyons said. “We know that our hospitals and medical professionals continue to be very busy in managing this pandemic, and it is just not safe right now for our fans, staff, student-athletes and community to welcome spectators at our home events. We can’t wait for the day when that will not be the case.”
Prior to the start of the 2020-21 season, WVU had hoped to allow 20% attendance — just under 3,000 people — for home games at the Coliseum.
After a spike in COVID-19 cases throughout the state, the school changed its policy to only immediate family members and essential personnel into the arena.
The 14th-ranked Mountaineers (9-3, 2-2 Big 12) are set to host No. 4 Texas at 1 p.m. Saturday, in a crucial conference match-up.
WVU averaged a total of 330 fans for each of its four home games in December, the lowest figure among Big 12 schools.
Texas Tech leads the Big 12 in home attendance at 3,738 per home game, about 25% of the United Supermarkets Arena’s capacity.
The edge at home
WVU is 5-3 against the Longhorns (9-1, 3-0) at the Coliseum, including last season’s 97-59 victory.
The 38-point margin of victory was the largest defeat Texas coach Shaka Smart has ever had.
WVU also beat Texas by 35 points in 2018 in Morgantown.
Since falling to Villanova on Dec. 6, Texas has won five straight, including an 84-59 victory against then-No. 3 Kansas.
Rebounding could be a key stat. WVU and Texas are ranked second and third in the Big 12 in total rebounds, with both teams averaging around 41 per game.
“We just need to come out and be the tougher team,” WVU forward Derek Culver said. WVU head coach Bob Huggins, “has been on us about being out-rebounded and things like that. The players that we have, we shouldn’t be getting out-rebounded. Coach has been telling us to take advantage of our size and attack the rim with reckless abandonment.”
Hot off the press
The Mountaineers rank third in the Big 12 in creating points off turnovers this season (16.7 per game) and are also third with 172 turnovers forced.
Without forward Oscar Tshiebwe on the roster — the 6-foot-9 forward officially entered the NCAA transfer portal Tuesday — WVU has the ability to play with a faster and smaller lineup.
WVU point guard Deuce McBride said he’s liked what he’s seen when the Mountaineers pressure the basketball and go for traps.
“I’m a firm believer that your defense starts your offense,” McBride said. “I think when you have everybody moving around and talking and moving, it makes coming down to the offensive end much easier. When you get going on defense, it affects the offense in a positive way.”
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