WVU Women’s Basketball Continues AP Poll Climb

WVU Women’s Basketball moved up to No. 24 in the Associated Press’ first weekly Top 25 poll of 2024.

While they only went up one spot in the rankings, they garnered significantly more favor amongst the voters, receiving a total of 106 points after managing just 49 last week.

The Mountaineers are one of just six ranked teams to still hold an unbeaten record, sitting at 12-0 (1-0 Big 12). They average 82.9 points per game, the sixteenth-best margin in Division 1, and they limit their opponents to 53.8 points per game, good for No. 25.

While those rankings may indicate otherwise, West Virginia’s defense keys their success. The Mountaineers force the second-most turnovers per game with 25.33, managing to break the 20 turnover plateau for the eleventh time this season in their conference opener at Kansas.

That opportunistic, aggressive press defense creates scoring chances in bunches as the Mountaineers storm back up the court on fast breaks and in transition.

This coming week marks their most difficult stretch yet, with conference matchups against Cincinnati and the No. 10 Texas Longhorns. West Virginia holds the advantage of playing both games at home, but it still seems like an uphill battle to continue their unbeaten run to the season. 

The Mountaineers have a ranked win under their belt already, as they stomped the then-No. 25 Nittany Lions in Morgantown on December 4.

WVU Women’s Basketball also moved up to No. 21 in the NET rankings, which take factors like home and road wins, as well as strength of schedule, into account.