In a college sports world where players skip bowl games and transfer midseason, it’s refreshing to see a team show up – and actually care about finishing what it started. That’s exactly what Ross Hodge and WVU Men’s Basketball did in Las Vegas. Read more: WVU played with pride – and that still matters
Not only did West Virginia accept an invite to the second annual College Basketball Crown tournament, they embraced it. They competed, bought in, and walked away with a championship after an 89-82 win over the Oklahoma Sooners. In a sport where postseason motivation can be hit or miss outside of March Madness, that result shouldn’t be dismissed.
Related: West Virginia tops Oklahoma for Crown title, $300K prize
There’s a natural comparison here to 2007, when John Beilein led WVU to a NIT (National Invitation Tournament) title. That group used the momentum as a springboard, and within a few years – under Bob Huggins – the Mountaineers were playing in a Final Four. It’s an easy narrative to revisit, especially for a fan base that’s always searching for signs of what’s next.
Show me the money
But the reality is, college basketball has changed too much to draw a straight line between then and now. Back in 2007, postseason events like the NIT were about building continuity and rewarding a young core that would stay together. This time around, the motivation is entirely different. With six seniors on the roster and a $300,000 NIL prize attached to the Crown tournament, the stakes go well beyond development.
And the latest news that freshman forward DJ Thomas has entered the transfer portal tells you everything you need to know about today’s game – motivation isn’t just playing time anymore, it’s money.
This is no longer about keeping a group together. It’s about showcasing your program in a constantly shifting landscape. Winning in this setting becomes a recruiting tool, a branding opportunity, and a signal to incoming players that you can build something quickly. That’s the reality of modern college basketball, where roster turnover is expected and success can happen almost overnight.
Just look at the national landscape. The Michigan Wolverines won a national title with a roster made up largely of first-year contributors. Programs aren’t waiting two or three years to peak anymore. They’re rebuilding on the fly and expecting results immediately. That’s the environment Ross Hodge has stepped into – and it makes what he did in Las Vegas even more meaningful.
More than a coach
Give Hodge credit for getting a veteran group, many of whom are likely playing their final games at this level, to lock in and compete. That’s not always easy in today’s game, especially in a secondary postseason tournament. It speaks to both his ability to motivate and the culture he’s trying to establish early in his tenure.
“I would just say if you want to grow, not only as a basketball player but as a person, this is the best place to be,” Honor Huff said after his final game as a Mountaineer. “I think Coach Hodge – he’s a wonderful person, not just a coach. He’s one of the most personable coaches I’ve ever had. Just to be able to go in his office and talk to him about life, basketball … if you want to accept a challenge, too, that’s the thing. They’re going to push you. Growing all facets of your game, this is the place to be.”
Looking ahead, there’s legitimate reason for optimism. Hodge has already secured the nation’s No. 23 recruiting class, headlined by five-star point guard Miles Sadler. He’s ranked No. 23 overall in the country and is considered one of the top point guards in his class. Add in two additional top-200 prospects, and there’s a foundation in place that aligns with how successful programs are now built – quickly and aggressively.
That also means expectations won’t be patient. If there’s a comparable situation to monitor, it might be Ben McCollum at Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball, who led a rapid turnaround and pushed his team to an Elite Eight appearance. McCollum, notably, was also a finalist for the West Virginia job, which only adds another layer to the comparison. In today’s game, the timeline to win has been shortened, whether that’s fair or not.
Culture of winning
It’s also important to keep perspective on how this team got here. This wasn’t a group that was clearly snubbed from the NCAA Tournament. West Virginia had six Quad 1 wins, which is impressive, but also suffered some costly losses. That inconsistency ultimately defined their season.
However, what can’t be overlooked is how they finished it. Beating an Oklahoma team that ranked among the most efficient offenses in the country shows the level this group could reach when it all came together. More importantly, they closed the season the right way, which isn’t something every team can say.
In fact, West Virginia joins Michigan as one of the only teams in the country to win its final game of the season. One cut down the nets on the sport’s biggest stage, while the other made a statement in Las Vegas. The stages are different, but the takeaway matters.
Momentum in college basketball can be fleeting, especially in an era defined by transfers and roster turnover. But belief still carries weight, and right now there’s a growing sense that Hodge can build something that works – regardless of how quickly the pieces change around him.
