Top Five Games for Mountaineer Athletics in February

February is full of big games for many West Virginia teams. Six WVU sports teams have a total of 15 matchups against the top 25 ranked opponents. And there are also a handful of rivalry games to come. Let’s take a look at this month’s biggest matches for the Mountaineers.

Honorable Mention: Baseball at Arizona Diamondbacks (Exhibition) (February 27)

The baseball season begins this month and West Virginia will face the Arizona Diamondbacks in an exhibition game. WVU went 33-22 last season, with a solid 17-6 home record, and many analysts believe the Mountaineers will be one of the most improved Big 12 teams.

5. No. 3 Rifle at No. 4 Kentucky (February 11)

West Virginia’s No. 3 Rifleman team is on a five-game winning streak. The Mountaineers are 15-3, with an 8-0 record in GARC competition. They will look to remain undefeated in the GARC when they take on No. 4 Kentucky in the final game of the regular season. WVU has beaten the defending NCAA champions Wildcats twice this year, with the last win being a close 4751-4726.

Photo by Isaiah J. Downing/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

4. #36 Gymnastics at #1 Oklahoma (February 24)

All five games this month for the No. 36 West Virginia gymnastics team face top-60 opponents, including No. 8 Denver and this game against No. 1 Oklahoma. The Mountaineers’ highlight this season has been the floor exercise, which is the Sooners’ “worst” event. Although WVU ranks in the top 25 on floor, Oklahoma is currently ranked third in the nation. The Mountaineers will need strong performances in every event if they are to upset the top-ranked Sooners.

3. Men’s Basketball at #10 Texas (February 11)

January was a tough month for the West Virginia men’s basketball team. The Mountaineers lost their first four games of the month, before picking up a few wins to go 3-6 in January. February won’t be any easier, with five of WVU’s next eight games against the top 15 teams. One of those matchups is with No. 10 Texas. The Longhorns are atop the Big 12, with a 7-2 conference record and an 18-4 overall record.

2. Shotgun No. 3 in NCAA Qualifying Game (February 18)

After winning five consecutive national championships from 2013-2017, the WVU rifle squad is chasing its 20th NCAA title in five years. The Mountaineers have a very experienced squad this season, which could help them in post-season competition. WVU has five seniors and four juniors on its 11-member squad. Senior Mary Tucker had led the Mountaineers with an average overall score of 1,190.75 this year, which is boosted by her incredible 598 air rifle average. Tucker and WVU will compete in the NCAA qualifying game later this month in Lexington, Va.

1. Men’s Basketball vs #8 Kansas (February 25)

The biggest game of the month for WVU athletics is the men’s basketball game at No. 8 Kansas. The Mountaineers need major wins this month if they want to advance the NCAA Tournament and this game gives them a great opportunity. WVU never won at Lawrence, but other Big 12 teams proved that Allen Fieldhouse might not be as great as usual this season. The Jayhawks won the first meeting between these two teams earlier this year, in a game that ended up being a poor showing for the Mountaineers. WVU can avenge that loss in this game and try to head into mars with some momentum.

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Be sure to tune in to support WVU for these games and let us know what other matches you’re looking forward to this month!