Sidelined since Dec. 8 with a knee injury, junior center Sagaba Konate faces a crucial offseason decision regarding his return to West Virginia.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sidelined for more than three months by a knee injury, Sagaba Konate will be a game-time decision Thursday when West Virginia meets second-seeded Texas Tech in the Big 12 quarterfinals.

Following the Mountaineers’ 72-71 victory against Oklahoma on Wednesday night, a program source told The Dominion Post that Konate may be healthy enough to contribute.

Konate participated in Tuesday’s shootaround at the Sprint Center. Wearing a brace on the right knee, he came off screens to take jump shots during the 40-minute practice.

The 6-foot-8 center was in West Virginia’s locker room following the game but declined to talk with media members. He was on the bench in street clothes during the Oklahoma game and has not played since Dec. 8 against Pitt — when he produced 16 points, nine blocks and seven rebounds.

In the eight games he played this season, Konate averaged 13.6 points and eight rebounds. He still leads the team with 22 blocked shots. The 10th-seeded Mountaineers (13-19) will play Texas Tech at 7 p.m. Thursday, with the winner advancing to the Big 12 semifinals.