A dynamic split-level image: the top half shows a West Virginia University basketball player in a classic shooting pose against a backdrop of faded, vintage team photos, representing tradition. The bottom half shows the same player, but in a modern, sharp uniform, leaping towards a brightly lit hoop, with a determined expression, symbolizing the future and promise. The overall mood is hopeful and energetic.
A dynamic split-level image: the top half shows a West Virginia University basketball player in a classic shooting pose against a backdrop of faded, vintage team photos, representing tradition. The bottom half shows the same player, but in a modern, sharp uniform, leaping towards a brightly lit hoop, with a determined expression, symbolizing the future and promise. The overall mood is hopeful and energetic.

West Virginia University Basketball: A Season of Transition and Promise

As of November 2025, the West Virginia University (WVU) men's basketball program finds itself in a period of significant transformation, navigating coaching changes, roster turnover, and early-season challenges under new leadership.

Coaching Carousel

In March 2025, the Mountaineers experienced a major coaching shakeup when head coach Darian DeVries departed after just one season to take the helm at Indiana University. The swift departure created uncertainty for a program seeking stability.

The university moved quickly to fill the vacancy, appointing Ross Hodge as the new head coach. Hodge arrives in Morgantown after a successful tenure at North Texas, where he established himself as a defensive specialist and led the Mean Green to the NIT semifinals. His defensive philosophy and proven track record at the mid-major level offer promise for the Mountaineers' future.

Roster Reshuffling

The coaching change triggered significant player movement through the transfer portal. Key departures included:

These departures necessitated a rebuilding effort for Coach Hodge, who faced the challenge of integrating new talent while maintaining team chemistry.

Early Season Performance

Under Coach Hodge's leadership, the Mountaineers have shown promising signs in the early stages of the 2025-2026 season:

November 6, 2025: WVU 73, Campbell 65


The Mountaineers opened their campaign with a hard-fought victory over Campbell. Guard Honor Huff led the scoring with 23 points, while forward Brenen Lorient contributed a well-rounded performance of 12 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks. The game demonstrated the team's defensive potential under Hodge's system.

November 9, 2025: WVU 69, Lehigh 47


In their second outing, the Mountaineers delivered a dominant defensive performance, holding Lehigh to just 47 points. Brenen Lorient emerged as a breakout star, scoring a career-high 26 points while adding seven rebounds. The comprehensive victory showcased the team's ability to execute Coach Hodge's defensive principles effectively.

Key Players Emerging

Brenen Lorient has quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the new-look Mountaineers. Through the first two games, he demonstrated versatility as both a scorer and defender, with his five-block performance against Campbell highlighting his rim-protecting abilities.

Honor Huff has provided scoring punch from the guard position, showing the ability to create offense when needed.

Upcoming Challenges

The Mountaineers face an immediate test of their early-season progress with a high-profile matchup against Duke at the Greenbrier on November 14, 2025. This game, part of the Greenbrier Tipoff, will provide valuable insight into how the team measures up against elite competition and how well Coach Hodge's system holds up against top-tier talent.

Looking Ahead

The 2025-2026 season represents a fresh start for WVU basketball. While the program navigates the challenges of coaching transition and roster turnover, early results suggest the Mountaineers are adapting well to Coach Hodge's system. The emphasis on defense appears to be taking root, and emerging players like Lorient provide reasons for optimism.

As the season progresses, the key questions will center on how quickly the team can develop chemistry, whether the defensive identity can be maintained against stronger competition, and how the Mountaineers will fare in the competitive Big 12 conference. The early success provides a foundation for what could become another successful chapter in West Virginia basketball history.

The prompt for this was: wvu basketball

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