While football season is immediately on the minds of all West Virginia fans, basketball season is also around the corner and in the blink of an eye, it will be time to talk about (and watch) WVU basketball as well. But the full lineup that fans are expecting to see might not be there when that time comes.
Ross Hodge met with the press for a preseason update on Thursday as the start of the school year approaches, and one of the subjects of discussion was the eligibility waiver needed for Boise State transfer Javan Buchanan to play for the team this year. And the latest update does not bode well for the Mountaineers.
Waiver denied for Javan Buchanan's final season of eligibility
Hodge disclosed on Thursday that Buchanan's waiver was denied, meaning that he will not be able to play this year unless he is granted an injunction by the courts, which will require a lawsuit.
This isn't necessarily surprising, given that Buchanan played four seasons of collegiate basketball, two at the NAIA level and two at the NCAA level. Under the new 5-for-5 eligibility rules passed this summer, Buchanan exhausted his eligibility last season (as did all players finishing their fourth season in four years). The NCAA also has indicated they will be quite strict with waivers under the new rules.
However, an injunction has already been granted to additional college basketball players in a similar situation as Buchanan's, so it's not impossible that he will still be able to play for the Mountaineers this season – but he will now need to go to court and have a judge rule in his favor.
Buchanan was expected to fill a starting role on the roster this year after averaging 12.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game last year at Boise State, so losing him would be a major blow to the Mountaineers. For now, the team will have to keep their fingers crossed and hope that things play out in Buchanan's favor in court.
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