Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — West Virginia men’s basketball coach Ross Hodge is shaping a program built on faith, toughness and connection — and his players are fully embracing it.
At Big 12 Media Day on Wednesday, Hodge and a few members of the Mountaineers spoke about the culture taking root in Morgantown, one defined by character and trust as much as talent.
For Hodge, that identity starts with players like Treyson Eaglestaff, whose maturity and work ethic have stood out early.
“He’s another one that can really make shots and the ball comes out of his hand easy,” Hodge said. “He’s an extremely hard worker, as all three of these guys are, as our whole team is. They make their teammates better and Treyson is a prolific scorer and he’s learned how to be more efficient and what’s also been great about him and this whole group is he really wants to be better. He allows me to coach him. He allows me to coach him hard and direct and doesn’t take it personal. And that’s why I think you’ll see his best basketball is ahead of his as is all these guys.”
North Texas transfer Jasper Floyd, who followed Hodge to WVU because of his faith and Hodge’s defensive principles.
“Number one is he is a follower of Christ as I am,” Floyd said. “He’s defensive first mindset. I see myself as a defensive first point guard and he taught me a lot of things last year that ultimately led me to become a better and more efficient player.”
Brenen Lorient, who also came from North Texas, also pointed to trust and leadership as major reasons he rejoined Hodge.
“My story is unique. When I came to North Texas I needed an opportunity and Hodge was a great guy,” Lorient said. “I’m a defensive guy myself and he really puts a lot of trust in his character. So, it was a no-brainer for me when it came time to make that decision again.”
Hodge said adding players with experience and versatility, like Chance Moore from St. Bonaventure, was crucial as the staff rebuilt the roster.
“Chance has a lot of versatility and experience and when we were putting this roster together because you knew you were going to have some turnover,” Hodge said. “We did want to bring guys in that had won and had experienced winning at other places… He’s a good rebounder and has a physicality when he drives the ball and can really get in the paint and that’s what jumped out at him more than anything.”
Assembling a Big 12-ready lineup required both urgency and patience. The first-year head coach notes that people — not just players — win games.
“Character matters. People still matter, and I think you win with people,” Hodge said. “So, if anything, obviously you have to have enough talent. I worked with coach Eustachy for five years. Larry Eustachy that was at Iowa State, won the Big 12 twice and he would say that you never see a donkey win the Kentucky Derby. So, you certainly got to have the players and the horses but we also wanted to get people that we felt loved playing basketball and loved other people. That combination usually allows you to have success.”
That sense of connection extends to the Mountaineers’ backcourt, where Floyd, Huff and Eaglestaff are expected to lead the charge.
“I think Jasper brings a leadership role that can’t be teached,” Huff said. “He’s a floor general. He runs the show. We go as he goes. So, really he controls the pace and we go off him. But I think me and Trey, coach Hodge says a lot, we have a gravitational pull to us where you kind of have to make a choice if you’re going to help off or if opens up drives for B-Lo (Lorient) and Chance to do what they do. So, I think we just play off each other. Me and Trey are roommates so we talk all the time. We’re always watching film, work out together. So, we kind of play off each other as well. It really starts with our point guard.”
With faith, character and chemistry at the core, Hodge’s Mountaineers are focused on more than just wins — they’re building a foundation for lasting success in the Big 12.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
