Andrew Pace
The West Virginia Mountaineers have a rich history in basketball, with a national championship under their belt. Although they have never won an NCAA championship, they took home the NIT title in 1942 when the NIT was considered the more prestigious tournament. The Mountaineers have had several notable players throughout their history, including Jerry West, a former NBA All-Star and NBA champion, and Hot Rod Hundley, who led the team to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1955. West Virginia has reached the Final Four twice and came agonizingly close to winning the NCAA championship in 1959, losing 71-70 to California. The team continues to strive for their first NCAA championship title.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of national championships in basketball | 1 (NIT title in 1942) |
| Number of NCAA championships | 0 |
| Number of Final Four appearances | 2 |
| Number of NCAA tournament appearances | 2 (1955, 1959) |
| Best NCAA tournament result | Runner-up (1959) |
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What You'll Learn
West Virginia has never won the NCAA championship
Despite never winning the NCAA championship, West Virginia has a rich basketball history. The Mountaineers won the 1942 NIT championship, which at the time was considered more prestigious than the NCAA tournament. They also reached the Final Four twice and have produced several notable players, including Jerry West, who went on to become an NBA champion and Hall of Famer.
West Virginia's modern basketball era began in 1955 with the emergence of sophomore guard Hot Rod Hundley and newly appointed head coach Fred Schaus. That year, the Mountaineers earned their first NCAA tournament appearance, marking their entrance onto the American college basketball scene. Although they lost in the first round, it was the start of a successful era for the team.
In the 1960 season, West Virginia, led by Jerry West, had a strong run. After eight straight wins, they were ranked #2 in the nation and posted victories over highly-ranked teams like Stanford and UCLA. However, they eventually lost to California in the Championship game, dropping to #3.
While West Virginia has come close to winning the NCAA championship, they have not yet been able to secure the title. Their history includes several notable achievements and players who have made significant impacts on the sport, both in college and professional leagues. The team continues to compete and strive for that elusive NCAA championship title.
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The Mountaineers won the 1942 NIT championship
The West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team has a rich history, with several notable achievements over the years. One of their most celebrated victories came in 1942 when they won the NIT championship. This win holds a special place in the team's history and marked their first national championship in men's basketball.
The 1942 NIT championship game was a closely contested affair, with the Mountaineers edging out Western Kentucky by a score of 47-45. This victory not only brought the team its first national title but also helped establish the Mountaineers as a force in college basketball. The win was a significant boost for the team and the university, as indicated by the proud headline in the Fairmont Times newspaper: "Mountaineers Win National Cage Tourney."
At the time, the NIT championship was highly prestigious, often featuring talented teams and players. In fact, during the early years of its existence, some teams even chose to compete in the NIT instead of the NCAA Tournament. This overlap in participation between the two tournaments occurred between 1939 and 1948, with the NIT champion being ranked higher than the NCAA champion on a few occasions during this period.
The 1942 NIT championship victory by the West Virginia Mountaineers holds historical significance, especially considering the context of the era. During World War II, the champions of the NCAA and NIT tournaments faced off in postseason charity games to raise funds for the war effort. While the NCAA champion prevailed in these games, the NIT champions of that time, including West Virginia in 1942, still hold a special place in the annals of basketball history.
In conclusion, the 1942 NIT championship win by the West Virginia Mountaineers was a pivotal moment in the team's history, marking their first national championship title in men's basketball. This victory, coming in a highly competitive basketball era, helped solidify the Mountaineers' reputation and set the stage for future successes.
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Jerry West never won a college championship
The West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team has never won an NCAA championship, though they have come close on several occasions. They lost the 1959 NCAA finals to California by a single point, 71–70. They also lost the 1960 NCAA tournament championship game, though their exact opponent is unclear. The Mountaineers did win the 1942 NIT championship, beating Western Kentucky 47–45, and the 2007 National Invitation Tournament, beating Clemson 78–72.
Jerry West, who played for the West Virginia Mountaineers in his college career, never won a college championship. In his senior year, West led the Mountaineers to a 26–5 record and they were ranked #2 in the nation. However, they lost the 1960 NCAA championship game to California, dropping to #3 in the rankings. Despite this loss, West was honoured with the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. West's collegiate career was highly successful, and he holds 12 WVU all-time records as of 2011. In his final collegiate season, he scored 29.3 points per game, had 134 season assists, 16.5 rebounds per game, and a shooting average of 50.4% from the field and 76.6% from the free-throw line. He was also named Southern Conference MVP and earned a spot on the All-America selection.
West went on to have a highly successful NBA career, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1960 to 1974. He was voted into the NBA All-Star Team 14 times and chosen as the All-Star MVP in 1972, the same year he won his only NBA championship. West was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980, and in 2005, his number 44 jersey was retired by West Virginia University—the first basketball number to be retired by the university. In 2019, West received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump in recognition of his contributions to the sport.
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West Virginia's first NCAA tournament appearance was in 1955
West Virginia University's men's basketball team, the Mountaineers, made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1955. Led by flamboyant sophomore guard Hot Rod Hundley, the team had a 19–11 record and earned their first NCAA tournament berth in school history.
The 1955 NCAA tournament was the first time West Virginia had qualified since the tournament began in 1939, sixteen years earlier. In that time, the Mountaineers had won a national championship, taking the NIT title in 1942 when the NIT was considered more prestigious than the NCAA tournament. However, the 1955 appearance marked the beginning of West Virginia's Golden Age of basketball.
Hundley, who had become known as the Clown Prince of Basketball due to his antics, ushered in this new era alongside rookie coach Fred Schaus. Unfortunately, their first NCAA tournament appearance was short-lived. They lost in the first round to the #3 La Salle Explorers, 91-65. La Salle was led by All-American Tom Gola, who scored 22 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Despite the loss, the 1955 West Virginia team laid the foundation for future success, producing three Hall of Fame members and becoming a force in the NCAA Tournament from 1955 through 1963.
The Mountaineers have since appeared in 31 NCAA tournaments, including two Final Fours, most recently in 2010. They have also appeared in 16 National Invitation Tournaments (NIT), winning in 1942 and 2007. While they have reached the NCAA championship game, they have never won an NCAA championship.
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West Virginia lost the 1959 NCAA finals to California by one point
West Virginia has won several championships in basketball, including the 1942 NIT championship, the 2007 National Invitation Tournament, and the 1959 NCAA tournament championship. However, one of their most memorable losses came in the 1959 NCAA finals against California.
The 1959 NCAA University Division basketball tournament was a highly competitive event, with 23 schools participating in a single-elimination format to crown the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. West Virginia, coached by Fred Schaus, made it to the final game, which was held on March 21, 1959, in Louisville, Kentucky. They faced off against the University of California, coached by Pete Newell.
The game was a close contest, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to pull away. In the end, California emerged victorious by a single point, with a final score of 71-70. This narrow margin of victory meant that West Virginia missed out on claiming the national title.
The loss was particularly heartbreaking for West Virginia, as they had come so close to winning the championship. Despite their valiant effort, they fell just short, and California celebrated their victory. West Virginia's star player, Jerry West, was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, even though his team didn't win.
The 1959 NCAA finals loss to California by one point remains a significant moment in West Virginia's basketball history. It showcases the team's resilience and determination, even in defeat, and highlights the thin line between victory and defeat in the world of competitive sports.
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Frequently asked questions
West Virginia has won one national championship in basketball.
West Virginia won the national championship in 1942.
They beat Western Kentucky 47-45 to win the NIT championship.
Yes, West Virginia reached the NCAA championship game in 1959 but lost to California 71-70.
No, they have not.
