Home Win Key as WVU Basketball Embarks on 2-Game Road Trip

WVU basketball picked up a crucial win over TCU Tuesday night, important not only for its NCAA Tournament implication but also because of the Mountaineers’ remaining schedule.

West Virginia started the final two weeks of the season in need of as many wins as possible in order to solidify its tournament positioning. The problem is that in the middle of the final four games of the regular season, there is a two-game road trip out west to take on BYU and Utah.

Such multi-game road trips will become the norm now that the Big 12 has expanded so far geographically. Earlier this season, WVU played a two-game road swing at Colorado and Houston. 

TCU finished up a two-game trip — at Cincinnati and WVU — losing both games despite winning five of their last six games before hitting the road.

“I’ve heard from Pac-12 people back in the day,” TCU coach Jamie Dixon said, “that second game in hard to win.”

A tough road trip like that is the last thing a team on the bubble wants to see, making West Virginia’s final two home games — Tuesday against TCU and next Saturday vs. UCF — even more important to win.

“They’re all critical this time of year, but this home game before we go on a two-game road swing is a big game,” WVU coach Darian DeVries said. “It doesn’t mean your season is over if you lose it, but it certainly puts you in a tougher spot.”

The Mountaineers responded by playing one of their most complete games of the season, shooting over 50% while holding the Hornded Frogs under 40% in the 18-point win.

“I thought the guys came out with a great mindset,” DeVries said. “They know they’re playing for something and I thought they came out and really showed that.”

The win has, for the moment, seemingly taken WVU off the bubble in regards to the tournament. While the final three games of the year are still important for the Mountaineers, Tuesday’s victory means none of them should be must-win games.

“It’s huge,” senior Joseph Yesufu said. “It’s important for us to finish the season strong, heading into the postseason. These three games are vital.”

WVU basketball takes on BYU in Provo at 10 p.m. Saturday night. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2. The Mountaineers then play Utah Tuesday at 9 p.m. on ESPN+.