West Virginia is drawing some national attention as a possible surprise team in the Big 12, and one college basketball insider went as far as calling the Mountaineers the conference’s “sleeper.”
That optimism starts with the roster Ross Hodge has put together. The fan base wants a return to the NCAA Tournament, and there are reasons to think that goal is within reach. Freshman guard Miles Sadler gives the team star potential, while veteran pieces should help balance out the lineup and a deep bench gives Hodge options.
“Who is the sleeper team in this conference? I am going to Morgantown, and I am going to West Virginia.
I think West Virginia ended last season on a real, real high note. They won 21 games under Ross Hodge, an excellent coach.
The Mountaineers will return to the NCAA Tournament in 2027 under Ross Hodge. Miles Sadler, really talented freshman.
Veteran guards with (Martin) Somerville, (Joson) Sanon, and (Finley) Bizjack. (Mo) Sylla and (Amadou) Seini up front.
West Virginia is also waiting on Brenen Lorient. Will he be eligible?
There’s a lot to be excited about if you are West Virginia. The Coliseum in Morgantown, which is always a difficult place to play, will be on steroids this season.
West Virginia has not been to the NCAA Tournament since Coach (Bob) Huggins was there. That’s a long time for a very proud program.”
West Virginia got a first look at itself Sunday in a 90-81 overtime loss to Mayland, the opener of its three-game exhibition slate. The second half brought offensive trouble, and the Mountaineers also had issues on the glass, especially against one of the nation’s best offensive rebounders, Pharrell Payne.
Still, there were clear positives. The defense held up well in most spots, with Sylla and Seini giving West Virginia some rim protection that was mostly absent a year ago.
Sadler and Bizjack both flashed their burst on offense, and the team went 19-for-22 at the free throw line. Hodge also spent time experimenting with different lineup combinations, something that would have looked different in a regular-season setting.
For now, the takeaway is simple: this team has the look of an NCAA Tournament squad, and potentially one that could climb near the top of the Big 12.
In Other News...
Former Oklahoma QBs Are Creating An Uncomfortable Reminder For Sooners Fans
Michael Hawkins has given West Virginia a jolt this season, and for anyone watching from Norman, there is a familiar sting to the way he has done it. The former Oklahoma quarterback has been productive as a passer and as a runner, even leading the nation in rushing touchdowns, while helping the Mountaineers stay in the thick of things at 4-3.
The reminder gets a little more uncomfortable when Jackson Arnold enters the picture. Another former Sooners quarterback, Arnold has also found his footing at UNLV with solid work through the air and on the ground, and he has played a part in the Rebels' recent success as well. For Oklahoma fans, seeing both quarterbacks move on and win elsewhere is the kind of storyline that lingers long after the final whistle. [Read more 🡒]
TCU Is Bracing For A Very Different WVU Defense
TCU is spending the week preparing for a West Virginia team that looks different on both sides of the ball than what the Horned Frogs may have seen earlier this season. In his pregame press conference, Sonny Dykes pointed to a Mountaineers offense that can push the tempo, threaten defenses on the ground and through the air, and force opponents to play fast without much breathing room.
What has also caught TCUs attention is the shape of West Virginias defense. Dykes described it as young, but still physical and aggressive, the kind of unit that can create problems even when the numbers have not always shown it consistently. Michael Hawkins Jr. also came up as a player the Frogs will have to account for, with Dykes calling him athletic and difficult to defend, another reminder that this matchup comes with more moving parts than a simple glance at the standings might suggest. [Read more 🡒]
Cam Cooks Next Decision Could Change West Virginias 2026 Outlook
Mike Hawkins Jr. and Cam Cook have given West Virginia a look that feels familiar in the best possible way, with the quarterbacks dual-threat production and Cooks steady surge on the ground drawing obvious comparisons to the Pat White and Steve Slaton era. Hawkins has more than 1,500 passing yards and 700 rushing yards, while Cook has climbed to fifth nationally in rushing yards, giving the Mountaineers a backfield pairing that has made the offense harder to defend and the future easier to imagine.
Cooks next move may end up shaping more than just his own draft stock. He could return for another college season, but he is also drawing attention as a possible day-three NFL pick, and the evaluation around him is not clean-cut thanks to questions about age, workload and speed. For West Virginia, the decision matters because keeping that kind of backfield threat intact would go a long way toward defining what the 2026 offense can become. [Read more 🡒]