Sat Mar 08 23:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Mountaineers Eye Big 12 Title, NCAA Hosting Bid
**Kansas City, MO** – West Virginia University’s women’s basketball team (23-6), already secured a spot in the NCAA tournament, faces Kansas State (26-6) Friday in the Big 12 quarterfinals. While a tournament berth is certain, the Mountaineers are eyeing a higher seed and potentially hosting first- and second-round NCAA games.
Fourth-seeded WVU defeated fifth-seeded Kansas State 70-57 during the regular season, but this rematch presents a significant challenge. The Wildcats, ranked 20th in the AP Top 25 and ninth in the NCAA’s NET rankings, pose a threat. The Mountaineers’ success hinges on their ability to overcome K-State’s star center, Ayoka Lee, whose status remains uncertain after a foot injury. Lee did not play in the previous matchup and has been sidelined since February.
West Virginia head coach Mark Kellogg emphasizes the importance of the Big 12 tournament, stating, “There’s still a ton going into it.” A strong showing, potentially winning the tournament, could boost their chances of hosting NCAA games. Guard J.J. Quinerly echoed this sentiment, believing a tournament victory might be necessary to secure a hosting spot.
The Mountaineers’ success hinges on a balanced scoring attack, beyond Quinerly’s recent high-scoring performances. Coach Kellogg stressed the need for contributions from players like Sydney Shaw and Kyah Watson to navigate the potentially grueling three-game tournament schedule. For Quinerly, this tournament presents a chance to make a lasting impact in her final season, aiming for a deeper run than the Big 12 quarterfinals reached in 2021. The game tips off at noon today.
First Piper 