Think to yourself – was West Virginia basketball better in the first (and only) year of the Darian DeVries era, or during the first season under Ross Hodge's tenure? While a recent three-game losing streak and the distance WVU basketball still sits from a safe at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament might lead some fans to lean toward the former. The stats, however, aren't as clear cut.
After 29 games under DeVries, the Mountaineers were 17-12 with an 8-10 record in Big 12 play. They suffered six double-digit losses up to that point in the season. This year, following the BYU upset, Hodge has coached the same number of games and has the Mountaineers sitting at...17-12 overall, and 8-8 in Big 12 play (this season feature two less Big 12 games and two additional non-conference games) – and only five double-digit losses.
First 29 games as #WVU head coach...
— Schuyler Callihan (@Callihan_) March 1, 2026
Ross Hodge: 17-12 (8-8) | 5 double-digit L's
Darian DeVries: 17-12 (8-10) | 6 double-digit L's
For a program to be essentially in the same spot they were a year ago is remarkable, considering they are on their fourth coach in four years.
And ESPN analyst and former Division 1 basketball coach Fran Fraschilla, who primarily covers the Big 12 for the network, believes that this season has shows that not only did the Mountaineers not lose a step despite the departure of DeVries, but that Hodge is a "better fit" with the program than DeVries was.
"Respectfully, Ross Hodge is a better fit for WVU. What a job he’s done. That’s 16-2 run in the first half vs. BYU reminded me of the old days. The rumor is that he likes pepperoni rolls also," Fraschilla tweeted in a response to a tweet comparing the two coaches.
Respectfully, @coachrosshodge is a better fit for @WVUhoops. What a job he’s done. That’s 16-2 run in the first half vs. @BYUMBB reminded me of the old days. The rumor is that he likes pepperoni rolls also.
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) March 2, 2026
Hodge still has some work to do if he wants to earn his team a spot in the NCAA Tournament, but they are still in play – and if they could pull off what they need to do this week to solidify their resume, they'll also finish the season within the top half of the Big 12, with a finish as high as sixth place on the table.
And while it's possible Frachilla will end up being correct in his belief about Hodge as a better fit for the Mountaineers, it's not hard to say that the Mountaineers didn't drop off much from where DeVries had returned it to last season.