By: Clark Johnson | WV Sports Chat
Morgantown, WV – The WVU Men’s Basketball program scored a monumental 79-71 win over the 19th-ranked BYU Cougars on Saturday evening at Hope Coliseum. Coming into the game in the midst of a three-game losing streak, the Mountaineers had every right to lay down for the Cougars who have one of the best rosters in the Big 12 Conference. However, it was the coaching of Ross Hodge ultimately prevailed in the end.
Hodge, who is in his first season with WVU, was widely regarded as one of the brightest young coaching minds at the time of his hire last spring. Given the up-and-down nature of the 2025-26 season, Mountaineer fans were beginning to doubt this assumption. Restlessness and angst had began to grow prominent in the fan base over the last few weeks.
With the prospects of a NCAA Tournament bid growing dim, Hodge’s Mountaineers quieted the negativity with what will likely be regarded as his signature performance in year one. The team played hard and relentless, signifying that that they have not quit on Hodge. Coupled with a great game plan, the program showed that they will have the ability to hang with the big boys moving forward.
It will ultimately take time, but Hodge will build a program that Mountaineer fans can be proud of. With a roster stitched together with intriguing lower-level prospects, he has already overachieved in his first season. Once his first official recruiting class arrives this summer, Mountaineer fans will finally learn the true potential of Ross Hodge.
If Saturday’s victory is any indication, the sky will be the limit with Hodge at the helm.
(Photo by WVU Athletics)
