Ross Hodge Shares Thoughts on WVU in College Basketball Crown

As a consolation prize for his first season leading the WVU basketball program, Ross Hodge will coach the Mountaineers in the College Basketball Crown.

Hodge shared his thoughts on why he accepted a bid to the College Basketball Crown after failing to reach the NCAA Tournament.

“We are pleased to be able to continue our season by participating in the second College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas. Everything I’ve heard about the inaugural tournament last year is that it’s a tremendous event and first-class experience for the teams and their fans. We have a wonderful group of guys on and off the court, and the Crown provides us a special opportunity to continue our season,” said Hodge in a statement.

On April 2, West Virginia will face Stanford. The game is scheduled for 8 pm ET. Baylor, Colorado, Creighton, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Rutgers round out the eight-team field.

WVU accepted a bid to the College Basketball Crown on Saturday, knowing they were not going to make the NCAA Tournament. The Tournament will be played from April 1-5.

West Virginia left the decision up to head coach Ross Hodge, who then asked his players if they wanted to participate.

In Hodge’s first season, West Virginia finished the season at 18-14 with a 9-10 Big 12 record, including 0-1 in the conference tournament.

Any non NCAA Tournament postseason play was always going to be College Basketball Crown, not the NIT or CBI, due to the Big 12’s relationship with the Crown.

While other similar or lesser programs say no to non NCAA Tournament postseason play, WVU is saying yes, granted the Big 12 connection to the Crown is part of why.

Find more coverage of  WVU basketball at WV Sports Now.

For a related story, Mike Asti detailed both sides of accepting or declining a non NCAA Tournament postseason bid.