West Virginia University (WVU) is buzzing with excitement as the 2025 basketball season progresses. While the women’s team has been expected to excel, the men’s team has surprised everyone with its remarkable accomplishments, making this season one to watch.
The WVU Women’s Basketball team began the season with high expectations, particularly after their thrilling battle against Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Coach Kelsey Kellogg, now entering her second season, returned four of the five starters from last year's squad, only losing two key players. Anticipation ran high as the Mountaineers were ranked 16th nationally, thanks to the offseason talent acquisition of highly touted transfer Sydney Shaw and the addition of four-star recruit Jordan Thomas.
The women displayed impressive athleticism and refined post-play early on, creating challenges for opposing teams due to their well-rounded gameplay. Under the leadership of national star JJ Quinerly, the team is certainly equipped to make waves and compete for the Big 12 title, drawing on their considerable depth and skill.
Conversely, the outlook was much less optimistic for the WVU Men’s Basketball team at the season's start. Fans were hopeful following the hiring of head coach Darian DeVries, but many believed it would take time before the team could compete effectively within the challenging Big 12, recognized as one of the deepest conferences in college basketball.
Fast forward to now, and the Mountaineers are sitting at 11-2, the best start ever for the program. They've clinched significant victories, including intimidating wins against the 3rd ranked Gonzaga and 24th ranked Arizona. Most impressively, the men achieved their first victory ever at Allen Fieldhouse against the 7th ranked Kansas Jayhawks. Winning against such formidable opponents—in what has historically been tough territory for the Mountaineers—has undeniably elevated the team's status.
A pivotal aspect of this success is DeVries’ no-excuses mentality, which has galvanized the players and translated to their performance on the court. Even missing their second-leading scorer, Tucker DeVries, the Mountaineers showcased resilience against Kansas and Oklahoma State, which is no small feat.
Star point guard Javon Small has been instrumental, and with the addition of impactful players like Jonathan Powell, who has excelled from beyond the arc, the team has compelling tools at their disposal. Meanwhile, Sencire Harris, known for his defensive prowess, finally made strides with his shooting against Oklahoma State, showing progress after starting the year struggling.
For the Men’s team, the road toward the Big 12 tournament title won’t be easy; the competition is fierce. Yet, the blend of shooting, defense, solid coaching, and soaring energy means WVU has all the ingredients to be formidable contenders. Historically, the men have yet to win a Big 12 tournament title, and the stakes are higher than ever.
On the women's side, the prestigious Big 12 tournament title only eludes them for their second time—having previously claimed it back in 2017. With strong recruiting and returning veterans, the aspirations to secure this championship are lofty but attainable.
All eyes are on both WVU basketball squads as they continue their journeys through this season. With the women already making headlines and the men exceeding expectations, there's no shortage of excitement surrounding Mountaineer basketball. Fans can't help but wonder just how far both teams can go as they chase their dreams of becoming champions.