It’s time to party like it’s 1992. No. 4 seed WVU Women’s Basketball (27-6, 14-4) kicks off its March Madness run against No. 13 seed Miami (OH) (28-6, 16-2) on Saturday. Read more: Gone dancin’: WVU Women’s Basketball first round preview.
The Mountaineers and Redhawks are set to battle for the second time ever when they share the Hope Coliseum court at 5 p.m. Saturday. WVU won the only other meeting in December 2022, beating Miami 82-51.
The winner sets up a date with Saturday’s early-game victor. That game is between No. 5 Kentucky and No. 12 JMU.
Related: March Madness retrospective: WVU Women’s Basketball
WVU makes its 17th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, while Miami makes its second (2008).
Duel of champions
Both WVU and Miami come into the dance as respective conference tournament champions. WVU got its revenge on TCU in a stalwart affair, while Miami defeated Toledo in the MAC title.
The two teams combined for 30 conference wins in 2025-26, proving supremacy over their domains.
Related: WVU defeats TCU to win Big 12 championship
Since Saturday is technically a “neutral site” game, despite being hosted in Morgantown, neutral records are in play. WVU went 5-1 on unbiased grounds, and Miami comes in at 4-1.
Leave no doubt, though, that it will be a de facto home game for the Mountaineers.
Similarities aplenty
Certain types of teams make it to the NCAA tournament. Most times, good defenses go a long way in getting a team to a meaningful March. The Mountaineers (58.1) and Redhawks (58.5) swarm the ball and limit offenses, both allowing 58 points per game.
Both squads tout double digit positive scoring margins. WVU (18.2) and Miami (12.5) have the ability to take over a game. The Mountaineers had multiple 50+ point victories, skewing the numbers, but they are a powerful bunch.
WVU and Miami shoot in the mid-40 percents from the field, and mid-30s from behind the arc.
Top stars
WVU has no shortage of star power, all the way down to the bench. Rotational players found a way to upset No. 15 Duke at the time, after all. Expect heavy workloads from unofficial team captain Jordan Harrison, as well as Gia Cooke and Sydney Shaw.
But don’t be surprised if the likes of Carter McCray and Meme Wheeler provide a catalyst for success, either.
Miami is led by the two-headed monster of Amber Tretter and Amber Scalia. Combined, the duo averages 28.2 PPG and 11.2 rebounds per game.
The similarities persist between the Mountaineers and Redhawks. Four players from each roster average more than 10 PPG.
Coaching matchup
The turnaround Miami head coach Glenn Box has orchestrated is monumental. Year one under Box saw the Redhawks finish ninth in the MAC with a 9-20 record. Since then, MU finished 19-12 with a WNIT berth in 2024-25, and look where they are now.
Also in his third season with the program, head coach Mark Kellogg has turned WVU into a powerhouse. Three tournament appearances in three years, accompanied by an established brand of playing style.
Both know what they’re doing, to say the least.
Tune in
NCAA Tournament action is back in Morgantown for the first time this century, and it’s going to be a good one.
Tip-off between WVU and Miami (OH) is set for 5 p.m., depending on what time UK vs, JMU wraps up. The first game tips at 2:30 p.m. from Hope Coliseum.
Saturday’s winners battle for a spot in the Sweet 16.
Tune in to 100.9 FM The Torch or any of its nine affiliate stations across the John Fredericks Media Network for play-by-play coverage of the action. Also, WV Sports Nation has reporters ready to provide live updates this weekend on X (@_wvsportsnation) and our Facebook page.
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