Kansas State women's basketball: How to watch, matchups, more vs No. 22 West Virginia

How to watch:

Channel: ESPN+ I Fubo TV
Date: Wednesday, February 21
Game time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Radio: K-State Sports Network
Venue: Bramlage Coliseum

All-time series

• West Virginia leads the all-time series 7-18 over Kansas State
• West Virginia has won the last three head-to-head matchups
• Kansas State is 3-7 in their last 10 matchups against West Virginia

Key matchups

It is not certain whether or not the Wildcats' leading scorer Ayoka Lee will suit up for Kansas State tonight. The All-America center did not play returned from almost a full month away due to an ankle injury last week in a double-overtime loss to Iowa State. However, Lee was again not dressed and on the bench for the Wildcats in their following game against UCF due to injuring the other ankle. K-State is saying it is a tweak sprain and she is day-to-day.

The Wildcats need Lee on the court tonight as the white light of playing NCAA Tournament games at home is slowly slipping away. After a rough four-game stretch losing to Oklahoma, Texas, and Iowa State, the Wildcats can't afford to lose any more of their final four regular season games.

If Lee isn't available tonight, Serena Sundell and Gabby Gregory need to put the team on thier backs early and not get down. The Wildcats, while still having the best defense in the conference, have struggled to keep teams in low-scoring contests and have found themselves playing from behind often. This team lives on their defense and they haven't trusted it as much lately.

Having their six-foot-six leading scorer under the basket for easy bunny shots and big blocks on defense can give this team the shot in the arm they need. However, they may not have her, so they need to lock in, get the lead early, and trust their defense to do the rest.

Prediction

This is going to be a tougher matchup than I think most people realize. West Virginia has the second-ranked defense behind Kansas State and that margin is small. They also have the second-best offense in the conference and that is what will challenge Kansas State early. The Wildcats will have the home crowd on their side, but they will need to get to a quick start early.

West Virginia is going to want to win this game in the paint and sprinkle in three-pointers when they get a good shot. Having Lee will be helpful under the basket in the pain, but if Kansas State can win the three-point game, they have a good chance at winning this game. Star red-shirt freshman Zyanna Walker will have to be crafty in setting up threes for herself and Sundell.

Kansas State desperately needs this win to begin thier crawl back to the top of the Big 12. I am going to give them the win on this one. I think the crowd will be loud and that will give the Wildcats the boost they need. It is going to be tough and physical, but if the Wildcats trust their three-point shot and their defense, they can pull this one out.

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