West Virginia’s opener didn’t reveal everything, but it did show plenty. The Mountaineers rolled past Niagara 91-46 on Monday night, and the most obvious takeaway was that this roster has real talent - the kind this program hasn’t had in years.
That showed up in the way the minutes were spread around. Nine players logged at least 15 minutes against Niagara, and six of them played 20 or more.
That kind of distribution usually tightens up once the schedule gets tougher, but that doesn’t seem likely here. Every one of those players who cleared the 15-minute mark looks like someone who will matter, and on a given night any of them could be the one who swings things.
The other thing that stood out was composure. West Virginia got down 16-6 when the shots weren’t falling, but the group didn’t get rattled.
Instead of forcing more threes, the Mountaineers adjusted and started attacking the basket. That same steadiness showed up in the Maryland game, too.
Even after giving away a big lead and finding itself down multiple possessions late, the team didn’t speed up, jack up bad shots, or get sloppy defensively. That kind of poise can carry a team a long way.
Depth is a big part of that story, because the bench looks capable of holding up almost every spot in the starting five. Martin Somerville is behind Miles Sadler, Joson Sanon and Seydou Traore are splitting time at the three, Mo Sylla and Amadou Seini are sharing the five, and Brenen Lorient and Javan Buchanan are working at the four. If injuries hit, West Virginia appears to have starting-caliber replacements waiting right there.
The defense, though, is still a work in progress. Holding Niagara under 50 points is expected, so that alone doesn’t make this an elite unit.
The Mountaineers did force 24 turnovers, but some of those came from Niagara’s own mistakes. The Purple Eagles still shot 42% from the floor, which suggests the game would have looked different - though still comfortably in West Virginia’s favor - if they had taken better care of the ball.
And that leads to the biggest question hanging over this team: what is the ceiling on that end of the floor? To win in the Big 12, defense has to travel.
Maybe this group’s identity will be built around forcing turnovers. Maybe that’s the answer.
For now, it’s still the one thing we don’t know.
In Other News...
West Virginia Freshman Gives Fans A Lot To Talk About After Opener
West Virginias season opener had the kind of feel-good start every team wants, and freshman Miles Sadler was right at the center of it. In a 91-46 win over Niagara, Sadler made an immediate impression in his collegiate debut, leading the Mountaineers with 16 points while also handing out nine assists and picking up three steals.
The larger takeaway for West Virginia was just as encouraging. After a first half that still had some room to tighten up, the defense sharpened considerably after the break and helped force 24 turnovers, turning the game into a runaway. For a team looking to set a tone early, the combination of a lopsided finish and a freshman guard already looking comfortable gave fans plenty to discuss. [Read more 🡒]
WVUs 2027 Schedule Just Added A Home Test Fans Will Notice
West Virginias 2027 football schedule got a little more intriguing with the addition of Purdue to the home slate, a matchup the university announced this week with the exact date still to be set. It gives Mountaineer fans another Power Four opponent to circle, and it keeps the program moving toward a schedule built for the new realities of college football.
The Purdue game pushes West Virginia to 10 Power Four games in 2027, which satisfies the requirement for the expanded College Football Playoff format. It will also be the third meeting between the schools, with the series currently split at one win apiece, so there is at least a little history attached to a game that should already carry some weight when it finally lands on the calendar. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Has A Mike Hawkins Jr. Decision That Could Shape Everything
West Virginias long-term quarterback picture is starting to come into focus, and Mike Hawkins Jr. sits right at the center of it. He has not yet signed a new deal to stay with the Mountaineers beyond the 2026 season, but discussions are ongoing, and there is no indication the relationship between Hawkins, his family and the coaching staff has cooled. For a program trying to stabilize and build forward at the same time, keeping a young quarterback in place matters almost as much as finding the next wave of help.
Rich Rodriguez has made it clear that the Mountaineers see underclassmen like Hawkins as foundational pieces, not just short-term depth. West Virginia believes it can hold onto its key players while still adding talent through the transfer portal, but the Hawkins situation is the kind of decision that can shape the roster well beyond one season. If the staff can close the gap there, it would be a meaningful sign that the programs future is starting to take shape the way it wants. [Read more 🡒]