West Virginia women's basketball is currently in the thick of a chaotic, high-stakes Big 12 grind. If you've been following the west virginia women's basketball schedule, you know the vibes in Morgantown have shifted from "early-season optimism" to "conference-play reality." It is January 17, 2026. The Mountaineers are fresh off a gut-wrenching 51-50 buzzer-beater loss to No. 10 TCU just three days ago. Honestly, that game was a defensive masterclass that ended in pure heartbreak.
Mark Kellogg’s squad is sitting at a crossroads right now. They've shown they can hang with the elite, but the schedule isn't doing them any favors. Tomorrow, they head to Cincinnati for a 2:00 PM tip-off at Fifth Third Arena. It's a game they basically have to win to keep pace in a Big 12 race that feels more like a marathon through a minefield this year.
The Immediate Road Ahead: A Brutal January Stretch
Looking at the upcoming games on the west virginia women's basketball schedule, the frequency of travel is pretty exhausting to even think about. After Cincinnati, the team barely has time to unpack before hosting Arizona State on January 21. That’s a 7:00 PM start at the WVU Coliseum—or Hope Coliseum as it's often referred to in official listings this season.
Then comes the "Mountain Trip."
The Mountaineers will fly out west to take on BYU in Provo on Saturday, January 24, followed by a late-night clash against Utah in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, January 27. Playing at altitude twice in four days? That’s where the depth Kellogg has been bragging about all year actually needs to show up.
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Key Matchups You Can't Miss
- January 18 at Cincinnati: A must-win road test.
- January 21 vs. Arizona State: The "True Blue" game where the home crowd needs to be loud.
- January 24 at BYU: A 9:30 PM ET tip-off. Better have your coffee ready for this one.
- February 1 vs. Baylor: This is the big circle on the calendar. Baylor is always a measuring stick in this conference.
Life After JJ Quinerly: A New Identity
Let’s be real for a second. Replacing JJ Quinerly was never going to be a "one-for-one" swap. She was the heart of the defense and the closer on offense. Coach Kellogg admitted as much earlier this season, noting that you don't just replace 20 points and a Defensive Player of the Year trophy with one person.
This 2025-26 team is playing a different brand of ball. It’s more inside-out. Jordan Harrison has stepped up as the definitive floor general, but the real story is the frontcourt. Jordan Thomas and Wisconsin transfer Carter McCray have given the Mountaineers a size advantage they haven't had in years. Last season, WVU was 12th in the Big 12 in rebounding. This year? They are actually winning the battle on the glass more often than not.
Harrison is averaging around 14 points and 5 assists, but she’s being asked to be a "shot-maker" more than a "play-maker" in crunch time. Sometimes it works. Sometimes, like against TCU, the offense gets a little stagnant when the pressure mounts.
The Transfer Portal Impact
Kellogg went shopping in the portal and he didn't miss. Beyond McCray, the addition of Kierra Wheeler from Norfolk State and Gia Cooke from Houston has changed the team's ceiling.
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Cooke brings that "Big 12 speed" that you need to survive against teams like Iowa State or Baylor. Meanwhile, Riley Makalusky has been a knockdown threat from the wing. It's a deep rotation. Kellogg has said this is the deepest team he’s ever coached in Morgantown, and he’s using all ten players on the active roster.
Examining the Big 12 Standings Context
The Big 12 is a mess—in a good way. TCU and Iowa State are the frontrunners, but West Virginia is firmly in that "second tier" alongside Baylor and Oklahoma State. The goal for this team isn't just to make the NCAA Tournament; it's to secure a top-four seed in the Big 12 Championship to get that double-bye in Kansas City come March.
The loss to Texas Tech on January 7 (71-66) hurt. The buzzer-beater to TCU hurt more. But the win at Kansas State on January 4 proved this team has the "road dog" mentality. They can win in hostile environments, which is exactly what they'll need to do in Provo and Salt Lake City later this month.
How to Follow the Mountaineers
If you're trying to catch the games on the west virginia women's basketball schedule, most of the Big 12 matchups are tucked away on ESPN+. It’s annoying for casual fans, but it’s the reality of modern college sports. Occasionally, a big game like the Baylor matchup on February 1 will get a linear TV spot (likely FS1 or an ESPN network), but for the most part, you'll be streaming.
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Radio listeners can still find the games on the Mountaineer Sports Network. Hearing Tony Caridi or the local crew call a game has a certain nostalgia that a low-budget stream just can't match.
What to Watch For in February
Once the team survives the January travel, February brings a bit more stability. They have a two-game homestand against Arizona (Feb 7) and UCF (Feb 11). These are games where they need to "protect the Coliseum."
The season wraps up at home on March 1 against Cincinnati. If things go according to plan, that game could have massive implications for seeding in the Big 12 Tournament, which starts March 4 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning on supporting the Mountaineers through the rest of the west virginia women's basketball schedule, here is how to stay ahead:
- Check the Tip Times: Big 12 road games in Utah and BYU start late (9:00 PM and 9:30 PM ET). Don't get caught wondering why the game isn't on at 7:00 PM.
- Monitor the Injury Report: With the high-altitude travel coming up, keep an eye on the rotation. If Harrison or McCray pick up minor knocks, the bench depth (like Sydney Shaw or Célia Rivière) becomes the story.
- Buy Tickets for the Baylor Game: February 1 is going to be the biggest home game of the remaining season. The atmosphere in Morgantown for that one will be electric.
- Follow the Net Rankings: Since the TCU and Texas Tech games were close losses, WVU's NET ranking might stay high. This matters more than the AP Poll for NCAA Tournament seeding.
The Mountaineers are a tough, gritty team that mirrors the state they represent. They might not have the superstar name of JJ Quinerly anymore, but they have a collective toughness that makes them a nightmare to play against. If they can split the upcoming road trip to Utah, they'll be in a prime position for a deep run in March.