2023-2024 was a roller coaster for WVU Men’s Basketball, and most of the ride was downhill.
Thanks in part to NCAA regulations and the sudden replacement of head coach Bob Huggins by assistant turned interim head coach Josh Eilert, WVU found itself unequipped to compete with the best of the Big 12.
In 2024-2025, though, a new head coach has made all the difference.
Coming from 2024 NCAA Tournament qualifier Drake, coach Darian DeVries has kicked off an exciting season for WVU Men’s Basketball.
Led by DeVries’ son and projected NBA Draft selection Tucker DeVries, WVU shocked No. 3 Gonzaga in overtime last month during the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas.
Arguably more essential than DeVries in the win and throughout the start to this season has been Oklahoma State transfer Javon Small. Small scored 31 points against Gonzaga and leads WVU in points per game with 19.7.
With DeVries out indefinitely with an upper body injury, Small, alongside standouts like 6-foot-6 freshman sharpshooter Jonathan Powell, has carried the load in nonconference play.
On Dec. 31, coach DeVries and his new-look Mountaineers, which return no players from last season with sophomore Ofri Naveh taking a redshirt this season, plan to bring their newfound prowess to the Big 12 against No. 7 Kansas.
DeVries and the Mountaineers will travel to Kansas with the same amount of wins, nine, that Eilert’s squad finished with last season. With losses only to Pittsburgh and Louisville, WVU will also be fighting to appear ranked in the AP Top 25 poll.
WVU’s Big 12 play debut against Kansas tips off at 2 p.m. ET on New Year’s Eve. The game will be available to stream with ESPN+.
Photo by Korey Moore, Blue Gold Sports
