The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
West Virginia
No. 13/12 Women’s Basketball preview: West Virginia
01.14.2022 | Women's Basketball
The Longhorns host the Mountaineers on Saturday at the Erwin Center (7 p.m. CT, LHN).
Game 15: #13/12 Texas (11-3, 1-2 Big 12) vs West Virginia (8-5, 1-2 Big 12)
Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022 – 7:00 p.m. Central
Frank Erwin Center (16,540) – Austin, Texas
GameDay Quick Facts:
• TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally on LHN. Alex Loeb (pxp) and Andrea Lloyd (analyst) will call the action.
• RADIO: 105.3 The Bat broadcasts every UT game on the statewide network. Roger Wallace (pxp) and Kathy Harston (analyst) will call the action. Check TexasSports.com for a listing of affiliates carrying the game.
• SERIES: Texas leads, 13-9. Last meeting: WVU 81-75 (Feb. 6, 2021; Austin)
Notables:
RESPONDING: The No. 13/12 Texas Women's Basketball team aims to right the ship and break out of two-game Big 12 Conference skid Saturday evening as they welcome in West Virginia for a league matchup inside the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns are 1-3 over their last three contests and have dropped consecutive conference games to Texas Tech and Kansas at home.
TURNOVER TROUBLES: Uncharacteristically high turnover rates have spelled trouble for the Longhorns as of late. After averaging just 14.3 turnovers per game through the first 11 games of the 2021-22 season, Texas is committing 20 per game over the last three contests including as season-high 23 turnovers in Wednesday's overtime loss to Kansas.
TOUGH ROAD AHEAD: There will be no break on the Horizon for the Longhorns as they gear up for an intense six-game stretch following Saturday's tilt in which they'll square off with four opponents currently ranked in the AP Top 25. The Longhorns take on No.9 Iowa State (Jan. 19), No. 25 Kansas State (Jan. 26), No. 23 Oklahoma (Jan. 29) and No.14 Baylor in back-to-games (Feb.4 & Feb.6).
THE SCHAEFER FORMULA: Longhorn head coach Vic Schaefer makes no secret in the way his teams have found success over the years. Relentless full court defensive pressure, attention to detail, and limiting turnovers and mistakes have been built in to the identity of his programs. The 2021-22 Longhorns are no different ranking among the best in the country in several defensive categories. UT currently ranks No. 3 in the Big 12 holding opponents to just 56.1 points per game. They also lead the league and rank No. 5 in the NCAA in turnovers forced at 24.4 per contest.
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS: West Virginia, who was picked to finish fourth in the Big 12 Preseason Coaches' Poll, are 8-5 overall on the season and 1-2 in league action after capturing a 64-53 victory over Texas Tech in their last contest.
The Mountaineers are averaging 68.8 points per game on offense this season and are holding opponents to 60.4 points. Junior guard KK Deans leads WVU offensively averaging 15.2 points per game while dishing out a team best 4.3 assists per contest. Esmery Martinez leads the team on the glass averaging 8 rebounds per game and is the second-leading scorers at 10.7 points per contest.
NEXT: Following 's Saturday's clash, the Longhorns will hit the road as they travel to Ames for a battle with first-place and No.9/9-ranked Iowa State. Tip is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT and will air nationally on ESPN+.
