Ross Hodge and the West Virginia Mountaineers have constructed one of the better Big 12 men’s basketball rosters this offseason. Seven outgoing transfers threatened next season’s prospects, but Hodge’s house has been secured for the future with a top-25 transfer class and a few returning contributors.
The Mountaineers missed the NCAA Tournament for a third season in a row, and have operated with now three different head coaches since Bob Huggins‘ ouster following the 2022-23 season. Hodge, leading West Virginia to a 21-14 overall record and seventh in the Big 12, is coming off the program’s best finish since the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 campaign.
Incoming freshman and five-star point guard Miles Sadler is a key part of next season’s goals, and how quickly his transition from Bella Vista Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona, will determine whether the Mountaineers can flip the switch overnight.
THE SADLER SYSTEM
In his final high school season, Sadler’s 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals helped take Bella Vista to the Chipotle Nationals, as well as earning the title of Nike EYBL’s 2026 Scholastic Most Valuable Player.
After signing Sadler, Hodge opened up publicly about the fit at West Virginia and his own hopes for where the highly-touted recruit can take his program in short order. Sadler currently tops West Virginia’s all-time recruiting list ahead of Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe.
“I think what gives me the most confidence about Miles is he understands that he has to get a lot better,” Hodge told Mike Asti of WV Sports Now earlier this month. “And he’s humble, has a level of humility and willingness and wants to be coached and wants to get better and wants to be told the truth.”
AROUND THE ROOM
Hodge is surrounding Sadler on the wing with Butler senior transfer Finley Bizjack (17.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.5 apg) and Florida State junior Martin Somerville (8.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.4 apg); Freshman Amir Jenkins will return from injury, too.
Evans Barning Jr., who didn’t record any stats last season and withdrew from his intentions to transfer this offseason, is the lone returner to the frontcourt next season for the Mountaineers. Hodge addressed the frontcourt gap with four incoming transfers to replace the minutes lost by graduates Brenen Lorient and Treysen Eaglestaff.
Hodge landed two four-star centers, Joson Sanon (7.9 ppg) from St. John’s, and Javan Buchanan (12.6 ppg) from Boise State, to lead the charge inside. Seydou Traore (Utah), Mouhammad Sylla (Georgia Tech) and Cameroon native Amadou Seini will all have their names on the board for playing time.
