If you weren't in Morgantown on Saturday night, you missed a statement. Honestly, it was the kind of game that makes you remember why college basketball in January is so much better than the NFL playoffs. West Virginia just wrapped up a 72-61 win over Colorado, and the vibes at Hope Coliseum are finally shifting from "cautious" to "convinced."
People were worried. Coming off that rough road loss to No. 7 Houston, there was a lot of chatter about whether this team could actually hang in the Big 12 meat grinder. They responded. The score of the wvu game tells part of the story, but the way they got there—blowing a double-digit lead only to snatch it back—is what actually matters for their tournament resume.
The Treysen Eaglestaff Show
Let’s talk about Treysen Eaglestaff for a second. The kid was a flamethrower. He finished with 22 points, and honestly, it felt like more because of when he scored them. He went 9-of-13 from the floor. That’s not just "getting lucky"; that’s efficient, high-level shot-making.
When Colorado went on that massive 12-2 run in the second half to take their first lead (43-42), the air kinda went out of the building. You could feel the collective "here we go again" from the fans. But then Eaglestaff decided he wasn't losing at home. He sparked a 13-3 counter-punch that basically put the Buffaloes in the rearview mirror for good.
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Why the 12-0 Home Record is Massive
West Virginia is now a perfect 12-0 at home this season. That is wild. Hope Coliseum—which, yeah, is a new name this year thanks to a naming rights deal—has turned into a fortress. In a league where winning on the road is basically impossible, you have to protect your house.
The Mountaineers are now 12-6 overall and 3-2 in the Big 12.
If you look at the box score, the rebounding stands out immediately. WVU absolutely bullied them on the glass, 38-22. You aren't going to win many games in this conference if you’re giving up that many second-chance opportunities. Colorado shot only 39% from the field. That’s a testament to the defensive identity this squad is starting to build.
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The Turning Point
The shot of the night? That has to go to Honor Huff. With about four minutes left, the shot clock was dying. He was pinned against the sideline right in front of the bench. He basically threw up a prayer that hit the glass and banked in for a three.
It was one of those "dagger" moments.
That bucket put WVU up 65-56, and Colorado never recovered. Huff ended the night with 14 points, nine of which came in the final seven minutes. That’s senior leadership. That's how you close out a Big 12 game.
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Looking at the Bigger Picture
The score of the wvu game isn't just a win in the column; it’s a boost to their NET ranking. They limited Colorado’s free throw attempts, which is usually where the Buffs make their money. Coming into this, Colorado was top 30 in the country in free throws made. WVU held them to just 10-of-14 from the stripe.
Brenen Lorient and Harlan Obioha deserve some love too. Both flirted with double-doubles, grabbing nine boards each. It was a gritty, physical performance that proved WVU can win even when the game gets ugly in the trenches.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the Mountaineers' path to March, keep an eye on these specific factors over the next three games:
- Watch the 3-point percentage: When Eaglestaff and Huff are hitting, this team is nearly impossible to beat at home.
- Monitor the injury report: Depth has been an issue at times, so staying healthy during this mid-January stretch is vital.
- Focus on the road games: The 12-0 home record is great, but they need to steal a few on the road to lock in a solid seed.
- Check the rebounding margin: If WVU continues to outmuscle opponents by double digits on the boards, they will remain a nightmare matchup for smaller lineups.
The win over Colorado keeps them above .500 in conference play and sets a high bar for the rest of the month. The energy in Morgantown is real, and for the first time in a while, the path to the NCAA Tournament looks remarkably clear.