Interim coach Josh Eilert is set to lead Utah against West Virginia, the team he previously coached under difficult circumstances last year. Eilert took over after the resignation of Bob Huggins and faced a challenging season resulting in a 9-23 record for the Mountaineers. Now back in the interim role at Utah after Craig Smith’s firing, Eilert praised his players’ positivity following a recent win over Arizona State.
Both Utah and West Virginia are competing for a top-eight finish in the Big 12 to earn a first-round bye in the conference tournament. West Virginia has struggled in recent games, including a loss to BYU, and will rely on senior guard Javon Small to lead the team. They will need to limit Utah’s interior strength, including players like Dawes, Ausar, and Lovering.
The Mountaineers have faced challenges playing against both Utah and BYU on the same road trip, with several teams, including Kansas and Oklahoma State, being swept in the two-game swing. West Virginia coach Darian DeVries acknowledged the difficulty of balancing defensive focus between limiting 3-point opportunities and defending against strong inside players like Traore.
The upcoming game between Utah and West Virginia promises to be a battle as both teams aim to secure a favorable position in the conference standings. With Eilert leading Utah against his former team, the matchup adds an intriguing dynamic to the game.
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