The West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team is a college basketball team that represents West Virginia University in the Big 12 Conference. The Mountaineers have won 13 conference tournament championships, and have appeared in 31 NCAA Tournaments, including two Final Fours, most recently in 2010.
- Team Name: West Virginia Mountaineers
- Short Name: WVU
- Team Owner(s): West Virginia University
- Prominent Players:
- Jerry West (Hall of Famer)
- Hot Rod Hundley (Hall of Famer)
- Greg Oden (No. 1 overall pick in 2007 NBA Draft)
- Kevin Jones (2010 Big East Player of the Year)
- Da’Sean Butler (2010 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player)
- Jevon Carter (2017 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year)
The Mountaineers are known for their high-pressure defense and their hard-nosed style of play. They have had a number of great players over the years, including Jerry West, Hot Rod Hundley, Greg Oden, Kevin Jones, Da’Sean Butler, and Jevon Carter.
The Mountaineers are currently coached by Bob Huggins, who is one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history. Huggins has led the Mountaineers to two Final Fours, and he has won six conference championships.
The Mountaineers are a popular team in West Virginia, and they have a large and passionate fan base. The Mountaineers play their home games at the WVU Coliseum, which is one of the loudest and most intimidating arenas in college basketball.
History about West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball Team
- Founded: 1892
- Conferences:
- Southern Conference (1905-1952)
- Big East Conference (1953-2011)
- Big 12 Conference (2012-present)
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 31
- Final Four Appearances: 2 (1959, 2010)
- National Championships: 0
The West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team was founded in 1892. The team played its first game on January 12, 1893, against the University of Pittsburgh. The Mountaineers lost the game 25-18.
The Mountaineers joined the Southern Conference in 1905. They remained in the Southern Conference until 1952. In 1953, the Mountaineers joined the Big East Conference. They remained in the Big East Conference until 2011.
In 2012, the Mountaineers joined the Big 12 Conference. The Mountaineers have made 31 NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Final Four appearances. They have never won a national championship.
The Mountaineers have had a number of great coaches over the years, including Fred Schaus, Gale Catlett, and Bob Huggins. Huggins is the current head coach of the Mountaineers. He has led the Mountaineers to two Final Fours, and he has won six conference championships.
The Mountaineers are a popular team in West Virginia, and they have a large and passionate fan base. The Mountaineers play their home games at the WVU Coliseum, which is one of the loudest and most intimidating arenas in college basketball.
The Mountaineers have a rich history, and they are one of the most successful college basketball programs in the country. They are sure to continue to be a competitive team for years to come.
Here are some of the West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team’s most notable moments in history, year by year:
1892: The team is founded.
1959: The Mountaineers reach the Final Four for the first time, led by Jerry West.
1975: The Mountaineers win their first Big East Conference championship.
1982: The Mountaineers reach the Sweet 16, led by Hot Rod Hundley.
2005: The Mountaineers reach the Sweet 16, led by Kevin Pittsnogle.
2010: The Mountaineers reach the Final Four for the second time, led by Da’Sean Butler.
2012: The Mountaineers join the Big 12 Conference.
2017: The Mountaineers win their sixth Big 12 Conference championship.
2020: The Mountaineers reach the NCAA Tournament for the 31st time.
2021: The Mountaineers reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2010.
These are just a few of the many notable moments in the history of the West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team. The Mountaineers are a proud program with a rich history, and they are sure to continue to make headlines for years to come.
Coaching Staff Information about West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball Team
Head Coach: Bob Huggins
- Background: Huggins is one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history. He has won 851 games in his career, and he has led his teams to six conference championships and two Final Four appearances. Huggins is known for his hard-nosed style of play, and he is a master of defense.
- Coaching Philosophy: Huggins’ coaching philosophy is based on defense and toughness. He wants his teams to be physical and to force turnovers. Huggins also believes in playing fast and in transition.
Assistant Coaches:
- Ron Everhart: Everhart is a former player and assistant coach under Huggins at Cincinnati. He has been with the Mountaineers since 2013. Everhart is known for his work with the guards.
- Josh Eilert: Eilert is a former player and assistant coach under Huggins at Kansas State. He has been with the Mountaineers since 2017. Eilert is known for his work with the post players.
- DerMarr Johnson: Johnson is a former player at West Virginia. He has been with the Mountaineers since 2021. Johnson is known for his work with the guards.
Director of Player Development:
- Erik Martin: Martin is a former player at West Virginia. He has been with the Mountaineers since 2015. Martin is responsible for helping the players develop their skills and their games.
The West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team has a talented and experienced coaching staff. Huggins is a Hall of Fame coach, and his assistants are all former players and coaches who have a deep understanding of the game. The Mountaineers are sure to be a competitive team for years to come.
West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball Team information about players
| Name | Jersey | Position | Height | Weight | Year in High School | Rating |
| Sean McNeil | 2 | Guard | 6’3″ | 185 lbs | Senior | 4-star |
| Taz Sherman | 12 | Guard | 6’2″ | 190 lbs | Senior | 4-star |
| Jalen Bridges | 33 | Forward | 6’7″ | 225 lbs | Junior | 4-star |
| Noah Wesson | 23 | Forward | 6’9″ | 235 lbs | Junior | 4-star |
| Kobe Johnson | 30 | Guard | 6’3″ | 175 lbs | Sophomore | 4-star |
| Brandon Knapper | 3 | Guard | 6’1″ | 180 lbs | Sophomore | 3-star |
| Garrett West | 22 | Forward | 6’8″ | 220 lbs | Freshman | 3-star |
| Dior Johnson | 5 | Guard | 6’5″ | 200 lbs | Freshman | 5-star |
| Seth Wilson | 4 | Guard | 6’1″ | 180 lbs | Freshman | 4-star |
These are just a few of the many talented players on the West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team. The Mountaineers are sure to be a competitive team in the Big 12 Conference and in the NCAA Tournament.
West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball Team’s last 10 years of records
| Year | Overall | Conference | NCAA Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 17-16 | 7-11 | First Round |
| 2020-21 | 22-9 | 10-6 | Sweet 16 |
| 2019-20 | 23-11 | 9-9 | First Round |
| 2018-19 | 15-17 | 5-13 | No Tournament |
| 2017-18 | 26-10 | 11-7 | Second Round |
| 2016-17 | 17-16 | 7-11 | First Round |
| 2015-16 | 26-10 | 13-3 | Second Round |
| 2014-15 | 16-17 | 7-11 | No Tournament |
| 2013-14 | 23-12 | 10-6 | First Round |
The Mountaineers have had a mixed bag of results in the last 10 years. They have made the NCAA Tournament five times, but they have only advanced to the Sweet 16 once. The Mountaineers have also had a few down years, including a 15-17 record in 2018-19 and a 17-16 record in 2016-17.
The Mountaineers are hoping to build on their recent success and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament in 2022-23.
Season Preview: West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball Team
The Mountaineers are coming off a 19-15 season, which was their first losing season since 2018-19. However, the Mountaineers return a lot of experience, including Sean McNeil, Taz Sherman, Jalen Bridges, and Noah Wesson. These four players all averaged double figures in scoring last season, and they will be the core of the Mountaineers’ offense this season.
The Mountaineers also have a number of talented newcomers, including Dior Johnson, Seth Wilson, and Garrett West. These three players all have the potential to be impact players, and they will help to give the Mountaineers more depth.
Team’s strengths and weaknesses:
The Mountaineers’ strengths this season will be their experience and their offense. The Mountaineers have a lot of players who can score the ball, and they will be difficult to defend. The Mountaineers’ weaknesses this season will be their defense and their depth. The Mountaineers were a poor defensive team last season, and they will need to improve if they want to be successful this season. The Mountaineers also lack depth in the frontcourt, which could be a problem if they suffer any injuries.
The Mountaineers’ biggest challenge this season will be the Big 12 Conference. The Big 12 is one of the toughest conferences in college basketball, and the Mountaineers will need to be at their best if they want to compete.
2023-2024 Schedule:
West Virginia Mountaineers Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| November 7 | Mount St. Mary’s | Morgantown, WV |
| November 10 | Duquesne | Morgantown, WV |
| November 12 | UConn | Morgantown, WV |
| November 19 | Saint Peter’s | New York City |
| November 22 | Seton Hall | Morgantown, WV |
| November 25 | Texas A&M | Morgantown, WV |
| December 2 | Virginia Tech | Morgantown, WV |
| December 5 | Texas | Austin, TX |
| December 10 | TCU | Morgantown, WV |
| December 17 | Oklahoma | Morgantown, WV |
| December 22 | Iowa State | Ames, IA |
| December 29 | Kansas | Morgantown, WV |
| January 2 | Baylor | Waco, TX |
| January 5 | Texas Tech | Morgantown, WV |
| January 8 | Kansas State | Manhattan, KS |
| January 12 | Oklahoma State | Morgantown, WV |
| January 15 | at Texas | Austin, TX |
| January 19 | at TCU | Fort Worth, TX |
| January 22 | at Iowa State | Ames, IA |
| January 26 | at Kansas | Lawrence, KS |
| January 29 | at Baylor | Waco, TX |
| February 2 | Texas Tech | Lubbock, TX |
| February 5 | at Oklahoma State | Stillwater, OK |
| February 9 | at Kansas State | Manhattan, KS |
| February 12 | at West Virginia | Morgantown, WV |
| February 16 | Oklahoma | Norman, OK |
| February 19 | at Texas | Austin, TX |
| February 23 | TCU | Fort Worth, TX |
| February 26 | Iowa State | Morgantown, WV |
| March 1 | at Kansas | Lawrence, KS |
| March 5 | Baylor | Morgantown, WV |
The Mountaineers will be a competitive team in the Big 12 Conference this season. They have a lot of experience and talent, and they will be difficult to beat at home. However, the Mountaineers will need to improve their defense if they want to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
FAQs about the West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team
1. What is the team’s nickname?
The West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team is nicknamed the Mountaineers. The nickname was adopted in 1905, and it is a reference to the state of West Virginia’s mountainous terrain.
2. What is the team’s home arena?
The West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team plays its home games at the WVU Coliseum. The WVU Coliseum is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, and it has a capacity of 14,000.
3. Who is the team’s head coach?
The West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team is currently coached by Bob Huggins. Huggins is a Hall of Fame coach, and he has led the Mountaineers to two Final Four appearances.
4. What are the team’s colors?
The West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team’s colors are blue and gold. The colors were adopted in 1912, and they are a reference to the state of West Virginia’s natural resources.
5. What are the team’s biggest rivals?
The West Virginia Mountaineers men’s basketball team’s biggest rivals are the Pitt Panthers and the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Mountaineers have a long and storied history with both teams, and the games between the three teams are always highly competitive.
