Emmitt Matthews Jr. got a firsthand look at West Virginia’s new basketball group, and he walked away feeling plenty good about what he saw.
The former Mountaineer posted after visiting the facility and watching the team work, saying, "Got a chance to see the new squad get some work in yesterday, and man, I’m super excited for this year," he posted on X. "Experienced veterans and talented freshmen that can make plays!
Big things ahead for WVU Hoops and Coach Hodge. Let’s go!"
That kind of reaction fits the buzz building around year two of the Ross Hodge era. West Virginia finished last season on a strong note by winning the College Basketball Crown, and that finish helped fuel an offseason that brought in a top 20 transfer portal class. Add in a top-15 high school class, and the expectations around this roster have jumped.
There’s a reason people are starting to look at this team as a possible Big 12 contender. The talent is there. But there’s also a catch: this group is very young, and it has not yet played real games together.
Miles Sadler and Amadou Seini are true freshmen who are expected to play major minutes, while Mouhamed Sylla has only 16 games of experience. If Brenen Lorient and Javan Buchanan are not cleared to play, that would make Hodge’s frontcourt even younger.
And the schedule isn’t doing West Virginia any favors.
This non-conference slate is loaded. The Players Era is already built in after the Mountaineers finished in the top eight of the Big 12 two years ago, and the schedule also includes a neutral-site matchup with North Carolina, a “return” game against Wake Forest in Greensboro, and rivalry games with Pitt and Virginia Tech.
By the end of December, West Virginia should have a much clearer answer on where this team stands - and whether it’s ready to handle an 18-game Big 12 grind with an NCAA Tournament spot in reach.
In Other News...
West Virginia Fans Are About To Learn What RichRod 2.0 Really Is
West Virginia spent the offseason remaking itself in a hurry, and the result is one of the biggest roster overhauls in the country. The Mountaineers brought in 80 new players, including a recruiting class of 45, while adding proven pieces like tackle Kevin Brown from Penn State, safety Matt Sieg from Pitt, leading rusher Cam Cook and quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., who won the starting job after joining the mix.
There is no shortage of new faces around the program, from offensive line coach Rick Trickett to a fresh wave of receivers and defensive backs, and that much change always comes with a simple question: how quickly can it all fit together? For RichRod 2.0, the intrigue is not just about the names West Virginia added, but whether this retooled roster can turn a massive turnover into something much more settled once the games start. [Read more 🡒]
WVUs Nonconference Slate Will Test The Mountaineers Earlier Than Expected
West Virginias nonconference basketball schedule is out, and it gives the Mountaineers a clear early read on where they stand before league play even begins. The slate features a mix of power-conference name brands and other postseason-caliber tests, with BartTorviks preseason rankings offering a handy reference point for just how demanding each matchup could be.
The list has enough quality to make the first part of the season feel like a proving ground rather than a tune-up, which matters for a team trying to establish itself quickly. North Carolina and Auburn headline the discussion, but the broader takeaway is the same: there will not be much room to ease into things, and the early results should say plenty about how this roster stacks up. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Offense Faces An Early Test It Wont Be Able To Shortcut
The first real measuring stick for West Virginias offense may arrive sooner than expected, and it wont be the sort of matchup that allows for easy answers. Coastal Carolina is bringing back a defense that should be experienced and well-coached entering the 2026 season, with several starters retained and additional help coming in from Missouri State, giving the Chanticleers a blend of familiarity and fresh ideas that could make them difficult to sort out early.
Rich Rodriguez already pointed to Coastal Carolinas disciplined defensive structure and its ability to limit big plays, which is exactly the kind of challenge that can expose timing issues and communication lapses on offense. The new staff influence also suggests a look that leans toward middle-of-the-field coverage and more man looks on third downs, so this is the sort of opener where West Virginia may have to earn everything the hard way before it finds out just how ready it is. [Read more 🡒]