West Virginia Upsets Top-Ranked Kansas 74-63

A combination of snow and traffic meant the the Kansas Jayhawks only arrived at the WVU Coliseum an hour before their game against West Virginia was due to start. On the court, things didn’t get any easier as WVU blitzed the Jayhawks in a 74-63 upset.

The Mountaineers were led by the duo of Jaysean Paige and Devin Williams, who combined for 43 points. The latter insisted, however, that the victory was thanks to a great deal more than two players.

“Just a team effort, man,” Williams said. “Whatever and whoever, as long as we get team effort, there’s no one in the country who can stop us.”

West Virginia thrived behind a game plan of driving the ball to the basket, which not only altered Kansas’ defensive shape, but helped the Mountaineers score 33 points from the free throw line.

“I thought it gave us the best chance to win,” head coach Bob Huggins said. “I think the way the game’s being called, it’s hard to guard the ball. We tried to kind of revamp some things and keep them spread to try to be able to get guys to the basket.” West Virginia was just as tenacious on the defensive end, forcing 22 Kansas turnovers.

“The game in a nutshell is that they were so much more aggressive and quicker,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “They were way more athletic than we were and played above the rim. We didn’t do any of that.”

PHOTO: Jaysean Paige #5 of the West Virginia Mountaineers dunks the ball in the second half during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at the WVU Coliseum on January 12, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Article by Joe Kozlowski