Most of the former West Virginia players who moved on to new homes got their first real look in season openers, and the early returns were a mixed bag with several of them making immediate contributions.
Treysen Eaglestaff wasted little time showing what he can bring to UC San Diego. In 21 minutes, he scored 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting and knocked down 2 of 3 from beyond the arc. He also finished with six rebounds, two assists and a steal, a strong opening line for a player expected to be a major part of the Tritons’ success in 2026-27.
Thomas also turned in a productive debut, even though he did not start for the Frogs. He matched Micah Robinson for the team lead with 19 points, going 5-for-11 from the field, 2-for-3 from three and a perfect 7-for-7 at the line. He added three rebounds and five assists, and if that kind of all-around production keeps up, it will be tough for Jamie Dixon to leave him in a bench role.
Fields got the start and made the most of it in a 20-point win over Hampton. He scored 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting and grabbed six rebounds in 21 minutes. West Virginia had expected him to be a meaningful piece at one point, but after he moved on, the Mountaineers were able to fill that spot with Brenen Lorient returning and Javan Buchanan arriving from Boise State.
Ugusuk’s first game at his new school offered a chance to do more on the offensive end, and he delivered a solid outing. He scored 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting, added four rebounds and handed out three assists. The move to a smaller program should give him more room to be a factor offensively after he never quite became the 3-and-D player West Virginia hoped for when it brought him in from South Carolina.
Oyeadier had a quieter debut at UC Riverside. He played eight minutes off the bench and finished with three points and one assist, a limited role in the opener.
In Other News...
WVU Brings Back A Fan Favorite Look For A Brutal Texas Tech Trip
West Virginia is reaching back into the closet for a familiar road look as it heads to Lubbock for a late-night test against No. 15 Texas Tech. The Mountaineers will go with their traditional away uniforms, pairing glossy blue helmets with white jerseys and gold pants for a matchup that already carries plenty of weight given the Red Raiders recent run at home.
It is the kind of trip where every small detail gets noticed, from the uniform combination to the kickoff time, which is set for about 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. West Virginia has history with Texas Tech to lean on, but the bigger challenge is walking into a place where the Red Raiders have been hard to beat lately and trying to make the old-school look translate into something more meaningful on the field. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Basketball Just Opened The Door For More West Virginia Families
West Virginia basketball is once again being used as a bridge between the program and the state it represents. The WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Mountaineer Athletic Club have teamed with DAC Energy to buy $100,000 worth of mens basketball tickets, with the goal of getting them into communities across West Virginia through outreach programs.
The tickets will be spread around for nonconference games and select Big 12 matchups, giving more families a chance to get into the building and see the Mountaineers in person. DAC Energy, led by Ken and Jennifer Mason, has long been involved in supporting WVU athletics and community efforts, and this latest partnership keeps that connection going in a very visible way. [Read more 🡒]
West Virginia Gets Encouraging Returns Before Texas Tech But Questions Remain
West Virginias availability picture is looking better heading into its matchup with Texas Tech, with the Mountaineers downgrading two players and clearing three others for the upcoming game. There has also been movement on the Red Raiders side, where one additional player has been ruled out and three more have been moved to probable, giving both staffs a little more clarity as kickoff approaches.
The report also notes that some players who had been listed as probable are now cleared to play, which is the kind of late-week development coaches and fans alike tend to watch closely. With the game set for 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, the final injury updates could still shape how both teams approach the night in Lubbock. [Read more 🡒]