Ross Hodge Striving for Change of Pace for WVU Basketball

Knowing he needs to make adjustments make WVU basketball a national contender again, Ross Hodge hopes to make one major change to his team plays.

Hodge alluded to a desire to increase West Virginia’s pace of play during a recent conversation on the 3 Guys Before the Game podcast.

“It may not be that way every year because you’re going to put the team in the best position that that team can do to win games,” Hodge said.

“Jasper has many qualities that we’ve talked about that are strengths. I wouldn’t say speed is one of those. Harlan has many strengths. I wouldn’t say speed is one of those. Treysen (Eaglestaff), (too). So, by nature, you’re not going to probably want to get into an up-and-down running game with the way that you’re constructed,” explained Hodge.

“Naturally, our pace will pick up next year with Miles Sadler because he is your quarterback and he’s faster,” he added. “The tempo, like even this year, you saw when Amir [Jenkins] came into the game, the tempo and the pace with Amir, Chance [Moore], and DJ [Thomas], it’s going to pick up a little quicker.”

But even though Hodge recognizes a change of pace is needed, he did also mention that Houston, the program he’s consistently mentioned he’s striving to copy, has remained elite year after year without playing a crazy fast style.

So while Hodge is right in his assessment, WVU’s pace was too slow and too chaotic too often, it is fair to recognize he has to cater to his personnel and there are multiple ways to win, even at a high level.

Hodge’s comments about pace and style will be important to keep note of as he continues to build his next Mountaineer team.

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.

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 Selection Sunday, knowing they were not going to make the NCAA Tournament. The Tournament will be played from April 1-5.

Find more coverage of  WVU basketball at WV Sports Now.

For a related story, Ross Hodge reveals Amir Jenkins’ season-long injury that will have him miss College Basketball Crown.