Ayrton Oneill
The West Virginia Mountaineers are indeed a Division 1 basketball team, with a rich history in the sport. The team has had notable successes, including a 19–11 record in 1955, which led to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. In 2008, under coach Huggins, the Mountaineers reached the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, beating the Arizona Wildcats and the Duke Blue Devils before ultimately losing to Xavier in the Sweet Sixteen round. The team has had several notable players, including Alex Ruoff and Da'Sean Butler, and is currently coached by Ross Hodge.
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What You'll Learn
- West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball history began in 1955
- The team reached the 2008 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
- They have had notable wins and losses against other teams
- The Mountaineers have had players like Hot Rod Hundley and coaches like Fred Schaus
- They have had varying tournament rankings and records over the years
West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball history began in 1955
The West Virginia Mountaineers are a Division I college basketball team representing West Virginia University in the NCAA's Big 12 Conference. The team began competing in intercollegiate basketball as early as 1903. However, the modern era of West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball history is considered to have begun in 1955, with the emergence of sophomore guard Hot Rod Hundley and newly appointed head coach Fred Schaus.
In their first season, the Mountaineers finished with a 19-11 record and earned the first NCAA tournament appearance in school history under Hundley's leadership. They entered the tournament with a #19 ranking, another first for the school. Despite this early success, they lost to the #3 La Salle Explorers in the first round, 95-61.
The following season, in 1956, the Mountaineers improved their record to 21-9 in Hundley's junior year, which was his best in terms of statistics. They began the season ranked #14 but dropped out of the rankings after consecutive losses to #13 George Washington University and #2 North Carolina State.
The 1958-59 season saw the Mountaineers, coached by Fred Schaus and led by Hall of Fame guard Jerry West, reach the final of the NCAA tournament, where they lost to California. West led the team to the final four, scoring 38 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in a semifinal win over Louisville. He then scored 28 points and grabbed 11 boards in the title game against California.
The Mountaineers continued to have successful seasons, with notable wins and rankings over the years. For example, in the 2008 season under coach Huggins, the team exceeded expectations by starting 4-0 and ultimately reaching the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. They defeated Arizona in the first game and #2 seed Duke in the second, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to #3 seed Xavier in overtime.
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The team reached the 2008 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
The West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team represents West Virginia University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference and have a rich history in the sport, with numerous tournament appearances and championship wins.
In the 2007-2008 season, the West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team reached the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, marking a successful first season for coach Bob Huggins. The team earned a #7 seed in the west region, facing off against the #10 seed Arizona Wildcats in the first round on March 20. The Mountaineers emerged victorious with a final score of 75-65, advancing them to the second round of the tournament.
In the second round, the Mountaineers faced the Duke Blue Devils, a familiar opponent, for the third time in the school's history. The Mountaineers pulled off another impressive win, defeating the #2 seed Duke team with a score of 73-67. This win propelled them into the Sweet Sixteen of the tournament.
However, their journey in the 2008 NCAA Tournament came to an end as they faced the #3 seed Xavier in a close match that went into overtime. The Mountaineers fell just short, losing with a score of 79-75. Despite the loss, the Mountaineers finished the season with a strong ranking of #17, exceeding initial expectations.
The 2008 season was a memorable one for the West Virginia Mountaineers, showcasing the team's resilience and talent under the leadership of Coach Huggins and key players such as senior Alex Ruoff and junior Da'Sean Butler. Their performance in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament added another chapter to the team's basketball legacy.
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They have had notable wins and losses against other teams
The West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team has had several notable wins and losses over the years. The team has experienced success in various tournaments, including the NCAA Tournament and the Southern Conference tournament.
One of their notable wins came in the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, where they defeated the #10 seed Arizona Wildcats 75-65 in the first game. They then beat the #2 seed Duke Blue Devils 73-67 in the second round before losing to #3 seed Xavier in the Sweet Sixteen. In the 2011 NCAA Tournament, the Mountaineers earned a 5th seed in the East region and defeated the Clemson Tigers 84-76 in the second round to advance to the Round of 32.
The Mountaineers also have a history of strong performances in the Southern Conference tournament. In one notable streak, they produced wins over Canisius, Villanova, Pittsburgh, and Furman. They retained their #1 ranking and added victories over Florida State, St. John's, VMI, Penn State, and Pittsburgh. The squad swept the Southern Conference tournament, winning the championship over Virginia Tech.
However, the West Virginia Mountaineers have also experienced some notable losses. In the 1977-78 season, they suffered their largest margin of defeat against Louisville, losing 106-60. In the 1955 NCAA Tournament, they lost to the #3 La Salle Explorers in the first round, 95-61. More recently, in the 2011 NCAA Tournament, they lost to the Kentucky Wildcats 71-63, despite holding a halftime lead.
The team has experienced ups and downs, with winning streaks followed by losses, but they have consistently remained competitive and have achieved notable victories throughout their history.
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The Mountaineers have had players like Hot Rod Hundley and coaches like Fred Schaus
The West Virginia Mountaineers are indeed a Division 1 basketball team, and they have a rich history in the sport.
Frederick Appleton Schaus, meanwhile, was a former player, head coach, and athletic director for the West Virginia University Mountaineers. He played for WVU from 1946 to 1949 and was the first Mountaineers player to score 1,000 career points. After his playing career at WVU, he joined the NBA's Fort Wayne Pistons and later played for the New York Knicks. Schaus returned to coach the Mountaineers in 1954, leading them to six consecutive NCAA tournament berths and a 127-26 record during his tenure. He then went on to coach and manage the Los Angeles Lakers, guiding them to seven straight playoff appearances and four NBA Finals appearances. He was also the general manager of the Lakers' 1972 NBA championship-winning team. Schaus returned to WVU as athletic director from 1981 to 1989 before retiring. He was inducted into his alma mater's athletics hall of fame in 1992, and the school annually honours outstanding varsity team captains with the Fred Schaus Awards.
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They have had varying tournament rankings and records over the years
The West Virginia Mountaineers have had a rich history in Division I basketball, with varying tournament rankings and records over the years. The modern era of West Virginia basketball began in 1955 with the emergence of sophomore guard Hot Rod Hundley and new head coach Fred Schaus. In their first season, the Mountaineers finished with a 19-11 record and earned their first NCAA tournament appearance, entering with a #19 ranking—their first Top 20 ranking. However, they lost in the first round to the #3 La Salle Explorers.
The following season, in 1956, the team started with a #14 ranking but dropped out of the rankings after consecutive losses. They eventually worked their way back up and finished the season with a 21-9 record. In 1958, after Hot Rod Hundley's graduation, sophomore guard Jerry West stepped up for the Mountaineers and coach Schaus. West helped the team achieve a 26-2 record, with a 12-0 conference record. They swept the Southern Conference tournament but lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament for the next four consecutive seasons.
In the 1960 season, West, as a senior, led the Mountaineers to a 26-5 record. They were ranked #2 in the nation and achieved notable victories over Stanford and UCLA in the Los Angeles Classic before dropping to #3 after a loss. They finished the season ranked #7 in the nation. After West's departure, sophomore guard Rod Thorn took his place for the 1958 season, helping the Mountaineers to a 23-4 record and an 11-1 conference record. They achieved their highest ranking of the season in the Southern Conference tournament, finishing at #8.
In coach Huggins' first season in 2008, the Mountaineers reached the NCAA Division I tournament, receiving a #7 seed in the west region. They defeated the Arizona Wildcats in the first game and then beat the #2 seed Duke Blue Devils. The team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen but lost to #3 seed Xavier in overtime. In 2011, the Mountaineers earned a 5th seed in the east region of the NCAA tournament, defeating the Clemson Tigers in the second round to advance to the Round of 32. They lost to the Kentucky Wildcats and finished the season with a 21-12 record.
The Mountaineers have had notable wins and upsets throughout their history, including victories over #17 Notre Dame in 1977, #1 seed Rutgers in 1978, and #1 UNLV Runnin' Rebels in 1983. They have also had some significant losses, such as their largest margin of defeat in 1978 against Louisville, losing by a score of 106-60. Overall, the West Virginia Mountaineers have had a successful basketball program, with 31 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including 2 Final Fours, showcasing their varying tournament rankings and records.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the West Virginia Mountaineers are Division 1. They reached the 2008 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in coach Huggins' first season.
In 1956, the Mountaineers posted a 21–9 record in Hundley's junior season, which was his best statistically. They earned their first NCAA tournament appearance in school history the year before under Hundley's lead.
The Mountaineers' biggest victory was against Salem College in 1945, with a score of 113-32.
