The 2025-26 West Virginia basketball season has arrived. With the Mountaineers set to tip off the season on Tuesday night, there appears to be optimism surrounding the team in Morgantown. Whether it be the job that head coach Ross Hodge has done in recruiting, or it be the shot-making ability of the likes of Treysen Eaglestaff and Honor Huff, or the notable depth this team has on the roster, WVU heads into the new season with seemingly high expectations.
While we will certainly learn a lot about the new-look Mountaineer basketball program over the day, weeks, and months ahead, here are four things we want to see from the Mountaineers as they begin the season in non-conference play.
1. Defense: The Ross Hodge Effect
Make no mistake about it, head coach Ross Hodge’s teams at North Texas were elite defensively. Without his ability to coach defense, he wouldn’t be the head coach in Morgantown. Hodge is hoping that his defensive mindset and scheme will enable his team to be among the best in the Big 12. Last season, North Texas gave up just 60.1 points per game, which was the 3rd fewest in the nation. Pre-season No. 2 and fellow Big 12 team, Houston, led the country last season, giving up just 58.7 per contest.
Now, in Morgantown, Hodge not only has capable defenders, but he has offensive firepower in Treysen Eagelstaff and Honor Huff. While these two did not come to WVU because of their defense, how much will they benefit from playing in Ross Hodge’s system, where defense is preached? Proven defenders Brenen Lorient, Chance Moore, and Harlan Obioha instantaneously connect in Hodge’s system. Throughout the early part of the season, we want to see offensive-minded players make a significant impact defensively.
2. Impact Freshmen
Saint Bonaventure transfer Chance Moore will sit out the first five games of the season as part of his eligibility resolution made with the NCAA. With that said, Moore is expected to be an integral part of the team this season, and others will have an opportunity to step up in his absence.
While senior Jackson Fields and junior Morris Ugusuk are expected to play a role in the rotation for WVU this season, keep an eye on the freshman in the early going. Point guard Amir Jenkins is a talented 4-star recruit who will likely spend much of his time backing Jasper Floyd, the starting point guard. Jayden Forsythe is a 6’5 4-star recruit for WVU with an ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc and made 3 threes in the scrimmage vs Wheeling. DJ Thomas, a 6’7 forward, played 17 minutes against Wheeling, scoring 6 points and hauling in 5 rebounds.
Here’s the skinny of it: this team already has upperclassmen who figure to play huge roles. Should one or multiple freshmen find success out of the gate, it would only add to the team’s depth.
3. Jasper Floyd Running the Offense with Precision
Point guard Jasper Floyd already has experience in Ross Hodge’s offensive system, joining him in coming over from North Texas. At times in the Wheeling scrimmage, West Virginia’s offense looked sloppy, committing 13 turnovers, though it felt worse than that. The play of Floyd this year is extremely important to the team’s success. While every team that is made up of an entirely new roster is susceptible to turnovers and sloppy play in the early going of the season, we want to see it cleaned up. Prior to the Charleston Classic starting on November 21st, WVU has 5 games, including one being the Backyard Brawl at home on November 13th. The quicker this offense can limit turnovers and run a good offense, the better it will be for them in the long run. Again, that starts and ends with Jasper Floyd.
4. Harlan Obioha’s Dominant Presence
UNCW transfer big man Harlan Obioha was the best player on the floor for the Mountaineers in the scrimmage vs Wheeling. Obioha had 19 points and 8 rebounds in 19 minutes while making 8 of his 9 field goal attempts. Granted, his seven-foot frame presented a mismatch from the moment he took the floor against a D2 school, it was still refreshing to see. Obioha has done considerable work on his body in the offseason to get into better shape. In the early going of the season, we want to see the big man be a dominant force on both ends of the floor. Whether it be finishing around the rim or kicking out to find open shooters, Ross Hodge has spoken highly of the senior big man’s ability on the offensive side. Defensively, his interior presence and ability to deter shots can potentially be massive for WVU’s success over the course of the season.