Mountaineers Climb To Highest Ranking Since 1959
Sean Taylor
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It wasn’t a matter of if the Mountaineers were going to rise in the AP Top 25, it was a matter of how much. After several losses to the six teams ahead of WVU in the AP Top 25, a rise in the rankings was in order. The Mountaineers climb to their highest ranking since 1959.
Yesterday Mountaineer Sports projected the Mountaineers should slot in at #2, with an outside chance at #1. Not to brag or anything, but we nailed it. The Mountaineers are ranked at No. 2 and received 12 first place votes.
And here it is. Our highest AP ranking since Dec. 29, 1959. WVU received 12 first place votes. #HailWV pic.twitter.com/nWCel0UFzH
— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) January 8, 2018
The top 5 goes Villanova, West Virginia, Virginia (who the Mountaineers defeated of course, Michigan State and Purdue and Wichita State are tied for #5. As you can see there was a major shakeup in the top ten.
Despite the loss to the Mountaineers, Oklahoma stayed in the top ten at #9. Other Big 12 teams in the top 25 include #8 Texas Tech, #12 Kansas and #16 TCU. No other conference has three teams in the top ten like the Big 12 does.
Additionally, Ted Allen was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week. In two wins Allen averaged 21 points per game in just 21.5 minutes per game. Allen shot 73.9% from the field and 88.9% from the free throw line. Teddy Buckets is quickly carving out a niche as a guy who gets hot in a hurry when he comes off the bench.
21 points is the magic number.#Big12MBB POW's got buckets. pic.twitter.com/PW0WevWcN7
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) January 8, 2018
The Mountaineers play Baylor on Tuesday at home then Saturday another top ten showdown is lined up when WVU heads to Lubbock to take on #8 Texas Tech. These Saturday top ten showdowns are a lot of fun and hopefully there are several more on the way.
Texas Tech is coming off a huge week that included a convincing road win over Kansas. Not an easy place to get a W. The Red Raiders have one loss this year which came at home against Seton Hall. They are currently riding an eight-game winning streak. Taht’s not 14 or anything, but it’s not bad. The game will be televised on ESPN and tips off at 2:00 p.m. EST.