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MORGANTOWN -- Eighth-rated West Virginia gets an early start to Big 12 play when it meets Iowa State tonight at the WVU Coliseum.
The Cyclones (1-3) are coming off a disappointing 74-65 home loss to Kansas State, which recently lost to Division II Fort Hays State.
West Virginia coach Bob Huggins cautions not to read too much into those two things. One, Kansas State is a young team that is improving. Two, Iowa State is still trying to find its way without star guard Tyler Haliburton, now playing in the NBA, and veteran coach Steve Prohm is still trying to blend three former transfers into his starting rotation.
"They're talented. They've got some transfers that had some success in other programs," Huggins said. "They can score the ball."
Huggins is really impressed with 7-foot freshman forward Xavier Foster, a four-star recruit from Iowa's Okaloosa High. Foster came off the bench to score 10 points and grab a couple rebounds in the Kansas State loss, and it could be just a matter of time before he finds his way in the starting lineup.
"He's extremely talented," Huggins said.
Against Kansas State, the Cyclones started three guards -- Rasir Bolton, Darlingstone Dubar and Jalen Coleman-Lands --and two forwards, Javan Johnson and Solomon Young.
If they go that route they will be forfeiting significant size to the Mountaineers.
Bolton, a former Penn State transfer, is a familiar player while Johnson comes to Iowa State from Troy. Coleman-Lands is a graduate transfer from Illinois.
Iowa State is one of three Big 12 home teams to lose its conference opener.
West Virginia (6-1) ran 19th-ranked Richmond right out of the gym this past Sunday. The Mountaineers put on an eight-minute show to end the first half to take a commanding lead over the Spiders, who won at Kentucky and most recently defeated Vanderbilt by 11.
Guard Miles McBride was 9-of-11 from the floor and finished with a game-high 20 points against the Spiders. West Virginia also got solid shooting performances from guards Taz Sherman (15 points) and Sean McNeil (12 points).
Three starters are currently averaging double figures: McBride (14.6 ppg.), Derek Culver (13.9 ppg.) and McNeil (11.1 ppg.).
The game will tip off at 9 p.m. and will be televised nationally by ESPNU (Rich Hollenberg and Chris Spatola).