West Virginia
WVSports – West Virginia has a plan moving forward for the roster needs
With both the early signing period and the initial days of the late one in the books, what are the primary needs for West Virginia as the program looks to fill out the 2024 roster?
The first transfer window closed, but another opened from April 16-30 while there also will be the possibility of graduate transfers entering at any time to provide even more options. West Virginia is expected to continue to be aggressive when it comes to filling out the roster.
Yes, there is the possibility of junior college or late high school options, but it is much more likely that the coaching staff places the emphasis on transfers.
The primary needs remain in the defensive backfield at both cornerback and safety for the program.
The Mountaineers were able to reel in a pair of cornerbacks in December in Colorado State transfer Ty Crandall and Duquesne transfer Ayden Garnes and then added another in February in Northwestern transfer Garnett Hollis. Still, the position is one that could continue to receive a look depending on what unfolds.
Finding safeties that can bounce around to fill multiple roles also remains a priority in order to sure up the secondary. The Mountaineers did add Northwestern transfer Jaheem Joseph in February but the program lost a pair of commitments there in Louisville transfer Josh Minkins and Old Dominion transfer Tahj Ra-El.
Still, expect that position to receive plenty of attention moving forward. And much like at cornerback, it’s realistic to expect at least one more addition there.
Expect West Virginia also to keep an open mind when it comes to possible additions with both young pass rushers and defensive linemen. The focus here is to continue cultivating depth and avoid a situation where the program constantly recruits new one-year options there every off-season. These don’t have to necessarily be immediate impact options, just ones that fit and have multiple years left.
On offense, the coaching staff will continue to be more selective overall and are only looking at the possibility of even adding to a few of the rooms on the roster.
One of those is wide receiver, where the program could still use some veteran depth. Even with the addition of Oklahoma State transfer Jaden Bray the coaching staff could still explore the possibility of adding more.
The same can be said at tight end as the coaching staff has discussed possibly adding another multi-year option to that room but that is expected to be something the staff discusses in the coming weeks.
The final spot would be offensive line but given the addition of Jacksonville State transfer Xavier Bausley that likely isn’t as necessary as some of the spots on defense. The coaching staff likes the current makeup of that position room and believes that while the right fit could change that, overall, the Mountaineers have done a good job building that room up over the years.
West Virginia has been aggressive to date when it comes to mining the portal and you can expect that to continue as the coaches look to fill out the roster with both immediate and long-term options.
West Virginia
BYU Cougars at West Virginia Mountaineers odds, picks and predictions
The No. 23 BYU Cougars (20-8, 8-7 Big 12) visit the West Virginia Mountaineers (16-12, 7-8) Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. ET (FOX) tip from WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the BYU vs. West Virginia odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
BYU has dropped 2 of its last 3 games after falling 97-84 against UCF on Tuesday, failing to cover as a 13.5-point home favorite with the Over (162.5) hitting. F AJ Dybantsa led all scorers with 29 points and G Robert Wright III added 20 as only 3 Cougars players scored in double figures in the upset loss.
West Virginia has dropped 3 games in a row after falling 91-84 in overtime against Oklahoma State on Tuesday, failing to cover as a 1.5-point road underdog with the Over (143.5) hitting. G Honor Huff scored a game-high 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting from 3, while the Mountaineers overcame a 13-point halftime deficit to force OT before running out of gas.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
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BYU at West Virginia odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 10:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): BYU -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | West Virginia +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Against the spread (ATS): BYU -1.5 (-115) | West Virginia +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 142.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
BYU at West Virginia picks and predictions
Prediction
BYU 81, West Virginia 74
PASS.
There is better value on the Cougars to cover the spread.
BET BYU -1.5 (-115).
A win all but guarantees a cover for the Cougars in this matchup with such a slim spread. They have covered in 2 of their last 3 and 3 of their last 5, including back-to-back road games.
Neither side has played particularly well recently, with both teams being 4-6 straight up (SU) and 3-7 ATS over their last 10 games. This matchup will give Dybantsa, the nation’s leading scorer (25.1 points per game) who earned USBWA Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honors last week, an opportunity to take over the game.
BET OVER 142.5 (-110).
The Mountaineers have scored at least 74 points in 2 of their last 4 games while allowing 67 or more in 3 of their last 5.
The Cougars have hit the Over in 7 of their last 10 games. They have scored 79 or more points in 4 of their last 5, including 90 or more twice in that span. They have scored 82 or more points in 7 of their last 10 and have allowed at least 86 in 6 of their last 9.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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West Virginia
As Mountaineers try to move forward from recent struggles, freshman sensation Dybantsa awaits – WV MetroNews
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia is mired in a three-game losing streak for the first time under head coach Ross Hodge.
To make the slump a thing of the past, the Mountaineers have to find a way to be successful Saturday against No. 19 BYU when the teams battle at 5:30 p.m. Saturday inside Hope Coliseum for a matchup airing on FOX.
That means contending with freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa, the leading scorer in the Big 12 Conference at 25.1 points and one the top pro prospects in all of college basketball in recent memory.
“He’s definitely worthy of all the praise and attention that he’s gotten,” Hodge said. “What impresses you as much as his talent, which is very impressive, is his commitment to his teammates and how he celebrates those guys and his leadership for a young player on top of what he can do individually.”
At 6-foot-9, Dybantsa has a surplus of size for a primary ball-handler. It’s part of what makes his skill set so unique. He shoots north of 53 percent from the field, averages almost seven rebounds and four assists and shoots more than eight free throws per game thanks in large part to an ability to consistently draw contact.
“He’s a problem in every facet of the game,” Hodge said. “He certainly can distort you in ways that a lot of people can’t because of his size, versatility and fluidity. Typically, in your transition defense, your guards are going to be the ones stopping the ball and he can create an automatic mismatch from the jump because he has the ball in his hands so much.”
The Cougars are relying on Dybantsa even more at present after Richie Saunders suffered a significant season-ending injury. Saunders averaged 18 points and has missed three straight games, and in essence four, as the injury occurred in the first minute of what amounted to an overtime victory against Colorado. Saunders’ 64 three-pointers remain a team high, but Dybantsa has the luxury of another consistent scorer in guard Robert Wright III, who averages 18.1 points and has 50 triples.
BYU averages 84.6 points, good for second among Big 12 teams.
“Do you play [Dybantsa] individually and live with if he gets 35 or 40, or try to shrink gaps and live with are these other guys going to make shots? That is the challenge,” Hodge said. “He’s shown the ability that he can beat you both ways.”
The Cougars (20-8, 8-7) have dropped two of their last three and six of nine since a 17-2 start. Most recently, Central Florida had its way offensively and cruised to a road win over the Cougars, 97-84, on Tuesday.
WVU (16-12, 7-8) has lost three straight by a total of 18 points, most recently suffering a 91-84 overtime setback at Oklahoma State on Tuesday.
The Mountaineers struggled to get stops for much of the contest, with Hodge referring to the first half of that game as his team’s worst defensive half of the season.
Still, much like the game before at TCU, the win was there for the taking late and the Mountaineers were unable to close strong.
West Virginia continues to put itself in position where it’s required to overcome significant second-half deficits, and while the Mountaineers have often caught up or led late, they’ve been unable to pull through recently.
WVU has played eight straight games decided by 10 or fewer points and recorded a 3-5 record over that time.
“The initial aftermath of any loss you’re going to be disappointed, but we’re mature enough and from a leadership standpoint,” Hodge said. “It’s hard not to just fall into the trap of you win and you’re great, you lose and you’re terrible. We’ve been fortunate enough to win some one-possession games that easily could’ve went the other way and the last three games we were in easily could’ve went our way, but they didn’t.
“But you’re not looking at an insurmountable mountain to climb. A block out here, a free throw there, a rebound here, a made shot here, a missed shot here, that’s the difference in what you’re dealing with. Do you have the emotional intelligence and maturity to stay the course and stay together, which this group does better than anybody I’ve been around, and still find a level of excitement in what you’re doing every day. That’s where if you love basketball and love each other and love challenges, then you’re going to be in the right place. There’s going to be a certain level of excitement even in the midst of disappointing times.”
West Virginia
West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Daily 3, Daily 4 on Feb. 26, 2026
The results are in for the West Virginia Lottery’s draw games on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on Feb. 26.
Winning Daily 3 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing
1-1-7
Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 4 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing
3-8-8-2
Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 25 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing
02-03-09-11-13-19
Check Cash 25 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the West Virginia Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 11 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:59 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
- Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Daily 3, 4: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.
- Cash 25: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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