Seventh-ranked West Virginia had to work hard to win its Big 12 season opener last time out and looks to make it two straight on the road Monday against Kansas State as the 2018 portion of the schedule begins. The Mountaineers trailed by seven at halftime and their leading scorer had a poor shooting night, but they rallied for an 85-79 victory over Oklahoma State on Friday.

Texas coach Shaka Smart got an unexpected surprise last June when Mohamed Bamba, one of the nation’s top high school prospects, chose the Longhorns over expected destinations of Kentucky or Duke. The 6-11 Bamba, who has transformed Texas into an NCAA Tournament-caliber team, will try and deliver the Longhorns their first Big 12 Conference win on New Year’s Day when they visit an Iowa State team that is also seeking its first league triumph.