West Virginia, Pitt Extend Annual ‘Backyard Brawl’ Basketball Game Through 2027-28
On Thursday, West Virginia announced the decision to keep the rivalry with Pitt, also known as the “Backyard Brawl,” in men’s basketball alive by extending the series through the 2027-28 season.
“There is no question that this is one of the best rivalries in college athletics and has produced some great games through the years,” Baker said. “The rivalry is not only good for the two universities but also their fans. I want to thank Heather Lyke and the Pitt administration for supporting the renewal of this series, which is a win for college basketball.”
West Virginia will go to Pitt in the 2024-25 and 2026-27 seasons, and then host the Panthers in Morgantown for the 2025-26 and 2027-28 seasons.
“The Backyard Brawl is great for both schools, the fanbases, and especially for college basketball,” Interim Head Coach Josh Eilert said. “I have been at WVU for 17 of these games, and without question, they are our biggest rival. For the last six years, it’s been one of the highlights of our nonconference schedule and will certainly be for the next four years. I would like to thank Wren Baker, our administration, and Pitt for extending the Backyard Brawl.”
After both teams left the Big East following the 2011-12 season, WVU and Pitt met just six times (from 2017-2023) with the Mountaineers winning five of those six meetings. With that, West Virginia has won six of their last seven meetings with the Panthers.
The two teams have met 190 times dating back to 1906 with WVU leading the all-time series, 101-89.
