Honestly, the energy around Morgantown is just different this year. We all knew that moving on from the previous regime was going to be a "hold your breath" moment, but hiring Ross Hodge felt like a specific kind of statement. He's a defensive guy. He’s about grit. And if you’ve spent any time at the Coliseum, you know that "grit" is basically the local currency.
The west virginia mountaineers men's basketball schedule for the 2025-26 season has already put this team through the ringer. We’ve seen some high highs—like that absolute statement win against Kansas—and some "close but no cigar" moments in the non-conference slate. But as we hit the meat of the Big 12 calendar, the margin for error is basically zero. If you're looking to catch a game or just trying to figure out if this team is actually making the Big Dance, here is the reality of what’s ahead.
The Gauntlet: Breaking Down the Remaining Schedule
The Big 12 is a meat grinder. There’s no other way to put it. You look at the west virginia mountaineers men's basketball schedule and you don't see "easy" wins; you see opportunities to either climb the ladder or get stepped on.
Coming off the recent home stand, the Mountaineers are heading into a brutal stretch. We're talking about back-to-back desert trips and some of the most hostile environments in college hoops.
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- January 21: Away at Arizona State (9:00 PM). Tempe is never easy, and the Sun Devils play a fast, erratic style that can catch a defensive-minded team off guard.
- January 24: Away at Arizona (2:00 PM). This is the big one. McKale Center is a house of horrors for visitors. Arizona is sitting at #1 for a reason.
- January 27: Home vs. Kansas State (8:30 PM). Back to the Hope Coliseum. This is a "must-win" to keep the home-court advantage alive.
- January 31: Home vs. Baylor (4:00 PM). Scott Drew always has those guards ready. It's going to be a chess match between Hodge’s defensive rotations and Baylor’s perimeter shooting.
The schedule doesn't let up in February, either. You’ve got road trips to Cincinnati (Feb 5) and UCF (Feb 14), with a very dangerous Texas Tech team coming to town on February 8.
Why This Schedule is a Make-or-Break for Ross Hodge
Let's be real for a second. The non-conference record of 9-4 wasn't exactly what fans were dreaming of. Losses to Clemson, Xavier, and that double-overtime heartbreaker against Ohio State in Cleveland left a bit of a sour taste. It puts a massive amount of pressure on the conference wins.
Ross Hodge was brought in because his North Texas teams were historically stingy on defense. We’re seeing flashes of that. The win over Cincinnati (62-60) earlier this month was a classic "Hodge-ball" game. Ugly. Physical. Gritty.
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But the west virginia mountaineers men's basketball schedule is designed to expose depth. With the Big 12 being as deep as it is, WVU can't just rely on a five-man rotation. We need to see more from guys like Treysen Eaglestaff and Harlan Obioha as the legs get heavy in late February.
Key Matchups to Circle on Your Calendar
If you’re only going to clear your schedule for a few games, these are the ones that will define the season:
- The Arizona Road Trip (Jan 21-24): If WVU can even split this trip, it’s a massive win for their NET ranking.
- The BYU Home Game (Feb 28): BYU plays a style that is the polar opposite of WVU. It’s a contrast of philosophies that usually ends in a wild game.
- The Regular Season Finale vs. UCF (March 6): This could very well be a "win and you’re in" scenario for the NCAA Tournament.
Navigating the New Big 12 Landscape
The travel is the thing nobody talks about enough. Going to Tucson one week and then Orlando the next? That's professional-level travel. The west virginia mountaineers men's basketball schedule now involves crossing multiple time zones regularly.
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For the players, recovery is just as important as the scouting report. Coach Hodge has been vocal about the "one game at a time" mentality, but as fans, we’re all looking at the math. To get into the tournament, the Mountaineers likely need to finish at least .500 in conference play. Given the strength of the Big 12, an 11-9 or 10-10 record might actually be enough if the quality of wins is high enough.
How to Follow the Mountaineers
Most of the remaining games are tucked away on ESPN+ or Big 12 Now, but the big ones—like the Arizona and Baylor matchups—will be on national TV (CBS and ESPN2).
If you're heading to the Coliseum (now known as Hope Coliseum), keep an eye out for the "Gold Rush" or "True Blue" themes. The environment in Morgantown remains one of the few places where the crowd can actually influence the officiating. Well, maybe not the officiating, but definitely the opposing team's heart rate.
What to do next:
If you're planning on attending a game, check the official WVU Sports ticket portal immediately. Weekend games against Baylor and Texas Tech are trending toward sell-outs. Also, make sure your ESPN+ subscription is active before the mid-week road games, as many of the Big 12 away contests won't be on traditional cable. Keep a close eye on the NET rankings every Monday morning; that's where the real story of the Mountaineers' tournament hopes will be told.