WVU Women’s Basketball (10-2) is arguably the most enjoyable Mountaineer squad to follow at the moment. Head Coach Mark Kellogg and his squad are putting out quite the product through the first 12 games of the season. Big 12 Conference play begins on December 21 at home against Houston, kicking off what should be an intriguing race to March. Read more: WVU Women’s Basketball is arguably the best show in town as Big 12 action looms
The Mountaineers are taking momentum into Christmas break, but still have one more obstacle to deal with before the Santa caps are donned. WVU has won its past four games, including victories against P4 programs in Georgia Tech and Texas A&M. Houston is the final opponent for WVU before the built-in pause for the holidays.
Electric offense
If you like high-flying offensive hoops, this team is for you. WVU is averaging 80.9 points per game, commandeering its way to victory in (often) convincing fashion. WVU has outscored its first 12 opponents by a combined 303 points.
The Mountaineers are shooting 46.4% from the field in the same span, which is a respectable number. Efficiency from behind the arc (32.1%) has been lackluster at times, but other numbers make up for it.
WVU is led by redshirt junior guard Gia Cooke, the top scorer for the Mountaineers. Cooke averages 16.2 PPG and draws contact as good as anyone. She has attempted 90 free throws, 51 more than Kierra “Meme” Wheeler, who has shot the second most.
Speaking of Wheeler, the graduate student transfer from Norfolk State has been a star for the Mountaineers. The 6’1 forward has racked up four double-doubles in 12 games, including back-to-back to wrap up non-conference play.
Jordan Harrison and Sydney Shaw also average double digit points, rounding out a four-headed scoring monster. WVU has put up 80+ points in nine of its first 12 games.
Aggressive defense
 Like a well-picked cheese and wine pairing, WVU’s offensive prowess pairs terrifically with its aggressive defense. The Mountaineers have held their opponents to 51 or less in eight games.
WVU held a then-ranked No. 15 Duke Blue Devils squad to 49 points at the Greenbrier in one of the greatest games in program history. More on that later.
Three Mountaineers have already registered 10 blocks each (K. Wheeler, J. Thomas, C. McCray) and Shaw leads the team with 33 steals. These consistent performances and solid overall rebounding make for a defense that only allows 55.7 PPG.
Grit
Back to that Duke game. Mitch Rogers, senior writer and columnist for WV Sports Nation, wrote a captivating article regarding “The Greenbrier Five,” which you can read below.
Related: The Greenbrier Five: WVU stuns No. 15 Duke in historic upset
In short, WVU’s win against the Blue Devils took a performance for the ages from the entire team. Six ejections left five Mountaineers to finish the job in the second half. Boy, did they ever.
This team is comprised of scrappy players who know how to play team ball, and play it well. Coach Kellogg has a team that can go far yet again. Not often does a program tout a roster that can get in your face, take (and give) contact, and shoot the ball well. That makes for championship basketball, whether it be a team of women or men.
The message
I write all of this to implore the fact that WVU Women’s Basketball might just be the most entertaining program in Morgantown. Big 12 Conference play begins on December 21 at 2 p.m., as WVU welcomes Houston to Hope Coliseum.
Conference contests make up the remainder of the regular season. Action post-Houston will resume on New Year’s Day and run through March 1, 2026.
Whether you tune in on 100.9 FM The Torch or make the pilgrimage to Morgantown, I believe you will come away impressed. Do not view this as a fluff piece either, as it is only my opinion.
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