You’ve seen the schedule. You know the vibes. But honestly, if you’re looking for a WVU basketball game today, January 16, 2026, you’re going to find a very quiet Hope Coliseum. There isn't a game tonight. The Mountaineers are currently in that weird, tense 24-hour limb between a brutal road loss and a massive opportunity for redemption.
The actual game is tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, against Colorado.
Why does this matter right now? Because West Virginia is sitting at a crossroads. After getting dismantled 77-48 by No. 7 Houston on Tuesday, the coaching staff—led by Ross Hodge in his first year at the helm—is basically in a bunker trying to figure out how to jumpstart an offense that looked completely lost in the Texas heat. That Houston game was ugly. There's no other way to put it. 48 points is the kind of number that makes fans start looking at football recruiting classes early.
The State of the Mountaineers: 11-6 and Searching
WVU enters this weekend 11-6 overall and 2-2 in Big 12 play. It’s been a rollercoaster. One week they’re knocking off No. 22 Kansas at home (an 86-75 win that had Morgantown buzzing), and the next they’re struggling to crack 50 points.
👉 See also: NL Rookie of the Year 2025: Why Drake Baldwin Actually Deserved the Hardware
Ross Hodge has this team playing elite defense—ranking second in the Big 12 and seventh nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 63.2 points per game. They force you into bad shots. They make life miserable in the paint. But man, when the shots aren't falling on the other end, that defense has to be perfect. And against Houston, it wasn't.
Honor Huff is the engine. He's averaging 17.5 points and remains one of the most dangerous shooters in the conference. When he’s on, WVU looks like a tournament team. When he’s bracketed by two defenders, the secondary scoring—specifically from guys like Jasper Floyd—has to materialize. Floyd is doing a bit of everything: 7.1 points, 3.1 assists, and nearly two steals a game. But we need more.
Scouting Colorado: The First Visit to Morgantown
Saturday’s game against Colorado (12-5, 2-2 Big 12) is historic in a small way. This is the first time the Buffaloes have ever played a game in the state of West Virginia. Last year, these two split their meetings, with WVU winning in Boulder and Colorado taking the rematch in the Big 12 Tournament.
✨ Don't miss: New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks: What Most People Get Wrong
The Buffs are coming in hot with Isaiah Johnson, who is averaging 16.1 points. They play a more balanced style than the Mountaineers, often putting four or five players in double figures.
The matchup to watch? Colorado’s field goal percentage (48.9%) versus WVU’s field goal defense (40.4%). Something has to give. Colorado doesn't turn the ball over much, but they also don't face a pressurized environment like the "Maniac" crowd at Hope Coliseum very often.
Why Tomorrow is "Alumni Day" and More
If you're heading to the game tomorrow at 6:00 PM EST, it’s not just about the standings. It’s Alumni Day and "Throwback Day." The school is giving away jersey koozies, and they’ve got a whole list of concourse activities planned.
🔗 Read more: New Jersey Giants Football Explained: Why Most People Still Get the "Home Team" Wrong
It’s the kind of game that defines a mid-season ceiling. A win moves WVU to 3-2 in the toughest conference in America. A loss, especially after the Houston blowout, starts the "bubble" talk way too early in January.
WVU Basketball Game Today: Actionable Next Steps
- Check your tickets for Saturday: The game is Jan 17 at 6:00 PM. Don't show up tonight!
- Watch the injury report: Keep an eye on the status of the rotation players. After a physical game against Houston, depth will be key against a Colorado team that plays 9-10 guys deep.
- Monitor the Big 12 Standings: With Arizona and Iowa State currently undefeated at the top, the middle of the pack (where WVU sits) is a total dogfight. Every home game is a "must-win" if you want to avoid the Wednesday night games in Kansas City come tournament time.
- Tune in to the radio: If you can't make it to Morgantown, the Mountaineer Sports Network will have the pre-game coverage starting about an hour before tip-off on Saturday.
The Mountaineers are 11-0 at home this season. That's the stat that matters. Hope Coliseum is a fortress, and Colorado is walking into a trap if they think the team that played in Houston is the one showing up tomorrow.