Andrew Pace
The West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team has had a rich history in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. With 31 appearances in the NCAA tournament, including two Final Fours, the team has had its fair share of successes. However, their rankings and performance have been a topic of confusion for fans and experts alike. In this paragraph, we will delve into the rankings and performance of the West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team and explore their historical achievements and recent developments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | West Virginia Mountaineers |
| University | West Virginia University |
| Division | NCAA Division I |
| Conference | Big 12 Conference |
| Conference Tournament Championships | 13 |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | 31 |
| Final Four Appearances | 2 |
| NIT Championships | 2 |
| NIT Appearances | 16 |
| Home Venue | WVU Coliseum |
| Notable Wins | #1 Baylor, #2 Ohio State Buckeyes, #3 Gonzaga, #7 Kansas, #2 Iowa State |
| Notable Players | Joe Alexander, Miles McBride, Javon Small |
| Ranking in 2025 | #30 |
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What You'll Learn
West Virginia Mountaineers' history
The West Virginia Mountaineers have a long and storied history in college sports, consistently appearing on the national stage for over a century. The team's name and mascot, the Mountaineer, were adopted in 1890 when West Virginia University was founded as an agricultural school. The nickname reflects the rugged terrain surrounding Morgantown, where the university is located, and the hardworking and determined nature of its students.
The West Virginia University football program traces its origins to November 28, 1891, when its first team lost to Washington & Jefferson 72-0 on a converted cow pasture. Despite this inauspicious beginning, West Virginia enjoyed early successes in the early 1900s, winning several conference championships and becoming a regional powerhouse. The Mountaineers have won or shared a total of 15 conference championships, including eight Southern Conference titles and seven Big East Conference titles.
The 1970s marked a successful era for the Mountaineers, with coach Bobby Bowden leading the team to winning seasons in 1970, 1971, and 1972. The 1972 season culminated in the program's first bowl game appearance in three years, participating in the Peach Bowl against North Carolina. Bowden departed after the 1975 season, during which the Mountaineers compiled a 9-3 record and finished ranked No. 17 in the Coaches Poll and No. 20 in the AP Poll.
In 1979, Don Nehlen was introduced as the new head coach, coinciding with the construction of the second incarnation of Mountaineer Field, the program's current home stadium. Nehlen brought several changes to the program, including a new logo and color scheme, and led the team to 15 winning seasons during his two-decade tenure. The Mountaineers experienced a brief drought in 1985 and 1986, but rebounded in 1987 with freshman quarterback Major Harris leading the way. The 1988 edition of the Mountaineers achieved an undefeated regular season.
In addition to football, the Mountaineers compete at high levels nationally across other sports, including men's and women's basketball, baseball/softball, soccer, and volleyball. WVU has produced numerous individual athletes who have gone on to professional or Olympic success, such as NBA All-Star Jerry West and UWW world champion wrestler Kyle Snyder. The Mountaineers have also excelled in rifle, winning the most NCAA Rifle Championships of any school (20), and in rugby, winning the American College Cricket National Championship in 2019.
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NCAA Division I tournament appearances
The West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team has a rich history in NCAA Division I tournament appearances, with 31 appearances in total, including two Final Fours, most recently in 2010.
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-ever NCAA tournament appearance that year, the team entered with a #19 ranking but lost to the #3 La Salle Explorers in the first round.
The following season, the Mountaineers improved their record in Hundley's junior year, starting with a #14 ranking. Despite some losses, they worked their way back up to #19 before ultimately dropping out of the rankings.
In 2008, under coach Huggins, the Mountaineers reached the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. They received a #7 seed in the west region and defeated the #10 seed Arizona Wildcats in their first game. Advancing to the second round, they beat #2 seed Duke before losing to #3 seed Xavier in the Sweet Sixteen.
The Mountaineers have also appeared in 16 National Invitation Tournaments (NIT), winning the tournament in 1942 and 2007. They consider the 1942 NIT Championship as a National Championship.
West Virginia's performance in the NCAA Division I tournament has been impressive, with numerous upsets and deep runs in the competition. Their rivalry against Pittsburgh, dating back to 1906, is their most-played men's basketball rivalry, with West Virginia leading the series. The team's rankings and performance in the NCAA Division I tournament have been a topic of discussion and analysis.
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Upsets and notable wins
The West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team has a rich history of notable wins and upsets. Here are some of their most memorable moments:
On January 10, 2017, the #10 ranked West Virginia Mountaineers upset the top-ranked Baylor team at the WVU Coliseum with a dominant 89–68 victory, forcing 29 turnovers in Baylor's first-ever game as the #1 ranked team. This was a significant moment for the Mountaineers, showcasing their ability to rise to the challenge and overcome a highly-ranked opponent.
Another notable upset occurred on December 29, 2019, when the Mountaineers took down the #2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cleveland Classic by a score of 67-59. This win was fuelled by the impressive performance of Freshman Miles McBride, who scored 21 points.
The Mountaineers also have a history of breaking winning streaks. On December 31, 2024, they defeated the #7 ranked Kansas Jayhawks 62-61 at Allen Fieldhouse, ending Kansas' 33-game conference opener winning streak dating back to 1991. This win was even more remarkable given that West Virginia was missing two of their top three scorers.
Additionally, on January 18, 2025, the Mountaineers defeated the #2 ranked Iowa State Cyclones 64-57, with Javon Small scoring 27 points. This victory snapped Iowa State's 12-game winning streak, which was the longest in the nation at the time.
The 2007-2008 season also stands out as a successful campaign for the Mountaineers. They reached the Big East semifinals and earned a #7 seed in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, where they defeated the #10 seed Arizona Wildcats in the first round and then upset the #2 seed Duke Blue Devils in the second round with a score of 73–67.
The Mountaineers have a long history of competing in NCAA Division I college basketball and have achieved numerous notable wins and upsets throughout the years, establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the sport.
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West Virginia's ranking inconsistencies
West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team has had its fair share of successes, but its ranking has often been a subject of confusion and inconsistencies. The team's performance has fluctuated over the years, with notable upsets and impressive wins, yet their ranking has not always reflected this.
For instance, in January 2017, the #10 ranked West Virginia upset #1 Baylor with a final score of 89-68, forcing 29 turnovers in Baylor's first game as the top-ranked team. This was a significant achievement, yet it is unclear how this impacted their ranking. Similarly, in December 2019, West Virginia defeated #2 Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cleveland Classic, with a final score of 67-59, showcasing their ability to upset higher-ranked opponents.
The inconsistencies become more evident when examining their ranking in the 2024-2025 season. Despite beating several highly-ranked teams, including #3 Gonzaga and #7 Kansas, their ranking only moved up slightly, from 32nd to 30th. This prompted confusion, as many expected a more significant rise. Additionally, several teams ranked ahead of WVU had identical or worse records, raising questions about the ranking system's logic.
West Virginia's history in the NCAA tournament further highlights ranking inconsistencies. In 1955, the Mountaineers, led by sophomore guard Hot Rod Hundley, earned their first Top 20 ranking and an NCAA tournament appearance. However, they lost to #3 La Salle Explorers in the first round. The following season, they started with a #14 ranking but dropped out of the rankings after consecutive losses. They managed to climb back to #19 before again losing to La Salle and dropping out of the rankings.
The Mountaineers have had notable achievements, such as reaching the 1959 NCAA tournament final, winning the 1942 NIT Championship (then considered more prestigious than the NCAA), and making it to the 2008 NCAA Division I tournament. They have also appeared in 16 National Invitation Tournaments (NIT) and have 31 appearances in the NCAA tournament. Despite these accomplishments, the ranking inconsistencies experienced by the West Virginia men's basketball team remain a puzzling aspect of their competitive history.
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West Virginia's interstate rivalries
The West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball team has a few interstate rivalries, including:
Pittsburgh
The rivalry between West Virginia and Pittsburgh dates back to 1906 and is the most-played rivalry for West Virginia. The two campuses are roughly 80 miles apart, and the teams have played 184 games against each other as of 2012. From 1976 to 1982, the rivalry was in-conference in the Eastern Collegiate Basketball League and Eastern Athletic Association, and from 1995 to 2012, they were both in the Big East Conference. After the conference realignment, the rivalry was put on hold until the 2017-2018 season.
Maryland
West Virginia's rivalry with Maryland dates back to 1926 and has primarily been an out-of-conference rivalry, except for a period between 1950 and 1953 when both schools were in the Southern Conference. From the 1963-64 to 1970-71 seasons, the series was played twice a year, and it was played annually from 1983-84 to 1988-89, and again from 1990-91 to 1992-93.
Virginia Tech
West Virginia University has a multisport rivalry with Virginia Tech, which is heavily focused on football but also spans other collegiate sports, including basketball. The two universities are located along the Appalachian Mountains, with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, and West Virginia University just across the border. Families along the Virginia-West Virginia border are often split between the two rivals.
Penn State
The rivalry between West Virginia and Penn State was renewed in 2023 when the two teams met for the first time since 1992.
Cincinnati
West Virginia has a historic rivalry with Cincinnati, with a 16-3-1 record against the Bearcats.
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Frequently asked questions
The West Virginia men's basketball team is called the West Virginia Mountaineers.
The West Virginia Mountaineers are in the Big 12 Conference.
As of January 19, 2025, the West Virginia Mountaineers were ranked 30th in the NCAA NET Rankings.
The West Virginia Mountaineers first earned a Top 20 ranking in 1955, entering the NCAA tournament with a #19 ranking.
The West Virginia Mountaineers have appeared in the NCAA tournament 31 times, most recently in 2010.
