If you’ve spent any time watching Big 12 basketball over the last decade, you know the script by now. A highly ranked Kansas team flies into West Virginia, walks into a raucous, ear-splitting arena, and somehow forgets how to pass a basketball for a ten-minute stretch. It’s a phenomenon that defies logic, especially considering how much more talent Bill Self usually has on his roster compared to whatever is happening in Morgantown.
The most recent chapter in this weirdly lopsided rivalry just wrote itself on January 10, 2026. Kansas, ranked No. 22 at the time, walked into Hope Coliseum and got absolutely dismantled in the second half. It wasn't just a loss; it was a 86-75 statement by a West Virginia team that seems to have the Jayhawks' number regardless of who is coaching them.
The 16-0 Run That Broke the Jayhawks
The game followed a pattern we’ve seen way too many times. For the first twenty minutes, it looked like Kansas might actually cruise. Freshman phenom Darryn Peterson was doing his thing, scoring at will and looking every bit like the future lottery pick he is. KU went into the locker room with a slim 43-39 lead, but the momentum felt like it was wearing blue and crimson.
Then the lights went out. Not literally, but they might as well have.
After Tre White buried a three to put Kansas up 59-51 with about 15 minutes left, the Jayhawks simply stopped scoring. It was a total offensive blackout. For nearly seven minutes, Kansas couldn’t buy a bucket. Meanwhile, West Virginia went on a soul-crushing 16-0 run. The crowd at Hope Coliseum was so loud it probably could’ve been heard in Pittsburgh.
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By the time Jayden Dawson finally stopped the bleeding, the Mountaineers were up by eight and the game was effectively over. Honestly, watching Kansas try to solve the West Virginia defense in that stretch was like watching someone try to finish a Rubik's cube in a dark room. They were rushed, they were sloppy, and they were, quite frankly, outplayed.
Why Morgantown is a Jayhawk Graveyard
The stats don't lie, and they are pretty ugly if you're a Kansas fan. After this latest loss, Bill Self’s record in Morgantown has dropped to a head-scratching 5-8. Think about that for a second. This is a coach who wins about 80% of his games everywhere else, yet he’s well under .500 in West Virginia.
What is it about that place?
- The Travel: It’s a long trip. Lawrence to Morgantown isn't exactly a quick hop.
- The Atmosphere: Even after the Bob Huggins era ended, the "Press Virginia" mentality—or at least the energy of it—has stayed in the building.
- The Scoring Spills: Kansas has a habit of getting "ice cold" at exactly the wrong time. In this most recent game, they shot a dismal 31% from the field in the second half.
West Virginia’s Honor Huff was the primary tormentor this time around. He finished with 23 points, many of them coming during that pivotal second-half surge. When you have a guard who can shoot 4-of-11 from deep and get to the free-throw line nine times, you’re going to win a lot of games at home.
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Life After Huggins: A New Era
There was a lot of talk about how the Kansas basketball vs West Virginia rivalry would change once Bob Huggins was out of the picture. For years, it was the "Hall of Fame" showdown between Huggins and Self. It was personal, it was gritty, and it was always a battle of wits.
Now, we’re seeing a different version of the Mountaineers under Ross Hodge. While the faces have changed, the result for Kansas has remained frustratingly consistent. Hodge has managed to keep the defensive intensity high, and his team showed a level of "toughness" that Bill Self lamented in his post-game press conference. Self actually said, "They were tougher. We never stopped them the whole night."
That’s a stinging indictment for a Kansas team that prides itself on being the aggressor.
The Peterson Bright Spot
If there’s one thing Kansas fans can cling to, it’s Darryn Peterson. The kid is the real deal. In a game where most of his veteran teammates struggled to find their rhythm, Peterson dropped 23 points and grabbed six boards. He was the only reason the game didn't turn into a 20-point blowout during that disastrous second half.
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But one player can’t beat the Mountaineers in their own house. Melvin Council Jr. had 11, and Tre White had 18, but the bench was almost non-existent. When you’re playing on the road in the Big 12, you need more than three guys to show up.
Looking Ahead: How Kansas Recovers
This loss dropped Kansas to 11-5 overall and a shaky 1-2 in the Big 12. It’s the first time since the 2005-06 season that they’ve started conference play this poorly. Is the sky falling? Probably not. They followed up the West Virginia debacle with a solid win over Iowa State, proving they can still play with the big boys.
However, the "Morgantown Jinx" is officially a real thing. Until Kansas can go into West Virginia and win a game where they aren't forced to fight for their lives in the final two minutes, this will continue to be the thorn in Bill Self’s side.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season:
- Fix the Fatigue: Kansas needs to figure out why their offensive sets fall apart ten minutes into the second half of road games. Conditioning or bench depth? It’s a question Self has to answer.
- Guard the Perimeter: West Virginia hit 11 threes. Kansas hit 8. In a game decided by 11 points, that’s literally the difference.
- Ride Peterson: The freshman needs the ball in his hands more during scoring droughts. He’s the only one who seems unfazed by the crowd.
- Forget the History: The 5-8 record in Morgantown is a mental hurdle now. The Jayhawks need to treat the next trip there like a neutral site game rather than a house of horrors.
Watch the turnover numbers in the next few weeks. If Kansas can't keep their mistakes under 12 per game, they are going to find themselves sliding down the Big 12 standings faster than a Mountaineer fan rushing the court after a win.