College Basketball
WVU Basketball First Team Out in Latest Lunardi Bracketology
ESPN college basketball analyst Joe Lunardi marked WVU basketball as the first team out in his latest bracketology report Tuesday.
WVU has had a major roster overhaul this offseason, garnering attention from ESPN as well. However, Lunardi has the Mountaineers just missing the tournament in his projected nine-bid Big 12 conference next season.
In contrast, West Virginia did make the cut in a May Bracketology projection by fellow college basketball analyst Andy Kates.
In head coach Ross Hodgeโs first year, West Virginia finished the season at 18-14 with a 9-10 Big 12 record, including 0-1 in the conference tournament. The Mountaineers finished with three straight wins, culminating in a College Basketball Crown Championship.
A March Madness appearance next season would mark the first for WVU since 2022 in Bob Hugginsโ final season. WVU is coming off a postseason appearance, securing a College Basketball Crown Title after defeating Oklahoma in the championship game.
Find more coverage of WVU basketball at WV Sports Now.

Keith Goldsmith
June 17, 2026 at 6:34 pm
If Lunardi can write this team out of the big dance., he cant read, or doesnt want to. Keith Goldsmith