MORGANTOWN — In Mark Kellogg’s opinion, this week off came at just the right time for the WVU women’s basketball team.
“I’ve probably had a few years where I didn’t like when the bye came and we didn’t need it and there’s other years when it comes at the exact right time,” said Kellogg, WVU’s first-year head coach. “It’s probably coming at a pretty good time for us.”
The Mountaineers (16-2, 5-2 Big 12) are currently on a week-long break between games, last playing Saturday at Cincinnati, a 72-43 victory.
“When you get that bye week, you’ve got to make sure you use it the right way,” Kellogg said after the team’s win over Houston last Wednesday. “Get some rest, but not lose your rhythm at the same time.”
Kellogg’s up-tempo, high-effort style demands a lot from his players and although depth has not been an issue this season, eight players average over 16 minutes per game, so players have been looking forward to having a few days off.
“We’ve already talked about it,” fifth-year guard Lauren Fields admitted last week. “Our bodies feel it so it’ll be good for us.”
WVU’s next game is this Saturday against Iowa State in the Coliseum (2 p.m./ESPN+). It will be a rematch from earlier this month when the Cyclones (12-5, 6-1) mounted a 19-point comeback in the second half in Ames to deal WVU one of its two losses this season.
“Those are distant memories,” Kellogg said of the team’s losses from earlier this month. “The Iowa State one is going to sting a little bit when you blow a 19-point lead on the road against a quality team in a tough place to play. But you can’t dwell on it.”
The Mountaineers led by 19, 55-36 with 6:04 in the third quarter before ISU went on scoring runs of 13-0 and 20-2 to take control down the stretch.
WVU has rattled off three-straight wins since that loss, including back-to-back dominant outings against Houston and Cincinnati.
“It’s in the distance now, until we play them again,” Kellogg admitted. “And then we’ll have to relive it.”
While preparing for Iowa State will be a focus for the Mountaineers this week, taking advantage of the time off to get proper rest will be just as important.
“Iowa State got us, so we’ve got a week to prepare,” Kellogg said. “But some of the preparation will be to take care of your body and not even come (to the gym), go home and rest and recover.”
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