MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia shot up five spots to No. 12 in this week’s AP Top 25, which was released Monday afternoon.
The Mountaineers (13-2, 2-1 Big 12) won both of their games last week. West Virginia won 55-41 at Oklahoma State, then returned home for a 66-54 win over then-No. 22 Texas Tech.
Big 12 rival Baylor moved up to No. 2 in the poll after wins over Texas Tech and Kansas. The Bears were narrowly edged out by Gonzaga (1,574 points to 1,567 points) for the top spot.
The Jayhawks, previously ranked third, slipped down to No. 6.
Texas Tech dropped one spot to 23rd, rounding out the Big 12’s teams in the Top 25.
The Mountaineers are ranked 13th in the USA Today Coaches Poll. They were 17th in that poll a week ago.
West Virginia is 10th in the NET rankings, which are used by the NCAA as a tool for seeding the tournament.
McBride named Big 12 newcomer of the week
Freshman guard Miles McBride was named the Big 12’s newcomer of the week for the second time this season after scoring a career-high 22 points to lead the Mountaineers past the Red Raiders.
This week he shared the distinction with Baylor’s Macio Teague, who had 16 points and seven rebounds in the Bears’ first-ever win at Kansas, including a personal 8-0 run that stretched their lead from two to 10 to close out the first half.
Big 12 Men’s Basketball Weekly Honors
Player of the Week
Nov. 11: Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State, G, So.
Nov. 18: Kristian Doolittle, Oklahoma, F, Sr.
Nov. 25: Jared Butler, Baylor, G, So.
Dec. 2: Devon Dotson, Kansas, G, So.
Dec. 9: Freddie Gillespie, Baylor, F, Sr.
Dec. 16: Devon Dotson, Kansas, G, So.
Dec. 23: Kristian Doolittle, Oklahoma, F, Sr.
Dec. 30: Cartier Diarra, K-State, G, Jr.
Jan. 6: Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State, G, So.
Jan. 13: Jared Butler, Baylor, G, So.
Newcomer of the Week
Nov. 11: TJ Holyfield, Texas Tech, F, Sr.
Nov. 18: Oscar Tshiebwe, West Virginia, F, Fr.
Nov. 25: Jahmi’us Ramsey, Texas Tech, G, Fr.
Dec. 2: Oscar Tshiebwe, West Virginia, F, Fr.
Dec. 9: Rasir Bolton, Iowa State, G, So.
Dec. 16: Terrence Shannon, Jr., Texas Tech, G, Fr.
Dec. 23: Chris Clarke, Texas Tech, F, Sr.
Dec. 30: Miles McBride, West Virginia, G, Fr.
Jan. 6: Oscar Tshiebwe, West Virginia, F, Fr.
Jan. 13: Macio Teague, Baylor, G, Jr.
Miles McBride, West Virginia, G, Fr.