Texas Longhorns vs. West Virginia Mountaineers: Preview, Betting Odds, How to Watch

The Texas Longhorns host the West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday the Moody Center.

Author:
Zach Dimmitt
Feb 9, 2024 4:22 PM EST

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AUSTIN -- The Texas Longhorns face a potential must-win game for their NCAA Tournament hopes on Saturday when they host the West Virginia Mountaineers at the Moody Center.

Texas (15-8, 4-6) fell to No. 14 Iowa State at home on Tuesday in a 70-65 finish. The Longhorns cut an 18-point second-half deficit to just three in the closing minutes, but were unable to pull off the comeback.

The Mountaineers have already shown they can beat this Texas team, as West Virginia stifled the Longhorns for a 76-73 win in Morgantown on Jan. 13. Max Abmas finished with a season-high 32 points, scoring 17 in the final 2:30 of action to nearly help Texas rally from an 11-point deficit.

"They have a really talented roster, a really talented team," Texas coach Rodney Terry said Friday. " ... We had one of our not-so-great games of the year when we played up there."

With another potential loss to WVU on Saturday, the Longhorns would fall to 4-7 in Big 12 play and would have five home conference losses.

The Mountaineers didn't have veteran center and Syracuse transfer Jesse Edwards for the first matchup against Texas yet still pulled out the win. Averaging 14.8 points and 8.3 rebounds, he'll be a major focal point on both ends for WVU this time around.