WVU Men’s Basketball (9-5, 0-1) got steamrolled by No. 3 Iowa State (14-0, 1-0) on Friday, with the Cyclones dishing the Mountaineers their fifth loss of the season. The next several weeks could make or break the up-and-down squad. Read more: “Hitter’s Row” of tough opponents presents opportunity and challenge for WVU hoops.
The 80-59 loss to ISU was humbling, but not necessarily unexpected. WVU is going through growing pains under a high-potential first-year head coach in Ross Hodge.
The road does not get any easier in the near future. Dates with Cincinnati (8-6), No. 17 Kansas (10-4), and No. 8 Houston (13-1) loom large before the Mountaineers.
Make or break?
This three-game stretch awaiting WVU will not entirely determine the season, but it is a solid legitimacy test. WVU is just 1-4 against Power Four opponents. Luckily, the win was against Pitt, the most hated foe in the Mountaineers’ rogues gallery.
A blowout road loss to No. 3 Iowa State does not best showcase this season’s WVU squad. Instead, home games against a decent Cincinnati squad and the longtime powerhouse Jayhawks may paint a clearer picture.
WVU will then return to the road to face the fiery Houston Cougars, a team that has given the country fits for several years.
The trio of games will provide more answers beyond wins and losses. Answers to questions such as:
- Who will step up offensively?
- Is the defense up to par?
- Were portal players worth the NIL expenses?
I guess we will see.
The opportunity
It starts with Cincinnati. A much-needed return to Hope Coliseum (and hopefully some fire in players’ eyes) could prove to make a difference.
The showdown with the Bearcats on January 6 features a step down from ISU in terms of competition. WVU needs to go into Tuesday’s tilt with haste, aiming to get back on track.
The matchup also poses an opportunity to capitalize on a hot start and display consistency, a feat that dwindled away in the first half of Friday’s loss.
“I loved the start,” Hodge said in the postgame press conference. “I thought we came in here in a road environment for the first time against a top three-team and I thought we were clean and crisp. Then, in these type of environments, little plays cause momentum shifts.”
Hodge mentioned the environment. Ames was not kind to the Mountaineers, roaring through the ears of those donning gold and blue. That will not be an issue for the UC and KU contests.
Any win is a good win. A victory against a Big 12 foe with a winning record would be even better.
The challenge
It goes without saying, but I will anyway. Talent and experience will be tested through the rest of the season, but especially in the coming week.
Three winning teams (two being ranked) stand before WVU. This is not Little Rock or Mississippi Valley State, with all due respect. Big 12 action is a different beast.
The entire Mountaineer roster needs a sign of life. Going through the motions and standing at the three-point arc is not going to win ball games. WV Sports Nation writer Logan Powell explained the lackadaisical nature more in-depth in the ISU recap below.
Related: WVU falls flat in 80-59 loss to Iowa State.
WVU is going to have to dig deep as the season progresses.
What’s next?
The conference gauntlet rolls on, starting with the aforementioned Cincinnati game on January 6. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. on Tuesday inside Hope Coliseum. WVU is 9-0 at home thus far in the 2025-26 season.
Catch every game on 100.9 FM The Torch and its nine affiliate stations, and stay up to date with WV Sports Nation for more WVU Athletics coverage.
