West Virginia

Game Preview: West Virginia vs. Utah men's basketball

Published

1 year ago

March 4, 2025

Press Room

Game Preview: West Virginia vs. Utah men’s basketball

West Virginia plays their final road game of the regular season on Tuesday night when they face Utah.

WVSports.com offers a look at some key elements of the match-up to get you ready for tip-off.

SERIES: Utah leads 6-1

LAST MEETING: Feb. 8, 2025 in Morgantown — WVU 72, Utah 61

TELEVISION: ESPN+

TIP-OFF: 9:00 p.m. ET

COACHES

Darian DeVries, West Virginia

17-12 (1st season at WVU), 167-67 (7th season overall)

Josh Eilert, Utah (Interim)

1-1 (1st season at TCU), 10-24 (2nd season overall)

LAST TIME OUT

Utah enters Tuesday on a five-game home winning streak, with the most recent being a 99-73 win over Arizona State on Saturday. The Utes shot 56.5 percent from the field, and made 10 of their 25 shots from beyond the arc. They also got to the free throw line 27 times, sinking 19 of them. Utah held Arizona State to shoot 43 percent from the field, and the Utes owned the rebounding advantage 40-29.

West Virginia enters Wednesday off a 77-56 loss to BYU on Saturday. The Mountaineers trailed by six at halftime, but it was downhill from there. The Cougars shot 61 percent from the field in the second half, making five of their 11 3-pointers in the second as well. WVU shot 33 percent from the field and went 8-for-27 from deep.

By The Numbers — Team (16-13, 8-10 Big 12)

Utah comes into the contest near the middle of the Big 12 in both scoring offense and defense. The Utes are 8th in scoring offense and 9th in scoring defense. They are 8th in team field goal percentage and 5th in opponent field goal percentage.

From beyond the arc, Utah is making 33.2 percent of their shots, while opponents are making 33.7 percent of their shots. In these two teams’ first meeting, WVU knocked down 37.5 percent of their 3-pointers while the Utes knocked down 26.1 percent.

Utah gets to the line the fifth-most in the Big 12, but when they do they have the worst free throw percentage, making 63.8 percent of their free throws on the year. On the glass, Utah is second in rebounds per. game but they are 6th in rebounding margin. Utah is 15th in turnover margin as they are averaging the fourth-most turnovers per game in the league.

Over their last five games, their most frequent lineup on the floor has been Gabe Madsen, Mike Sharavjamts, Ezra Ausar, Jake Wahlin, and Lawson Lovering. This lineup has been deployed 30.8 percent of the time over Utah’s last five games.

Madsen leads Utah in scoring with 15.2 points per game on the season. Ausar is averaging 12.4 points per game this season. Utah has had nine different players start a game this season.

Utah comes into the game ranked 64th in the NET, and 68th by KenPom. This is considered a Quad 2 game for the Utes and they are 2-4 in such games this season.

By The Numbers — West Virginia (17-12, 8-10 Big 12)

Offense continues to be a struggle for the Mountaineers while they have still played well on the defensive side of the ball. WVU is 16th in the league in scoring offense, but are 2nd in the league in scoring defense. During WVU’s last four road games they have averaged 59.5 points in those games, and lost all four. On the season, WVU is averaging 68.2 points per game, and giving up 64.6 points per game.

From the field, WVU is shooting 42.4 percent on the year. WVU has eclipsed that mark in 15 games this season, and they are 10-5 in such games. When the Mountaineers go under that mark, they are 7-7 this year. Defensively, WVU is holding their opponents to shoot 40.9 percent from the field and that is third-best in the Big 12.

West Virginia is 12th in the Big 12 in 3-point percentage, but they are 5th in 3-pointers made per game. Defensively, the Mountaineers are holding opponents to shoot 29.3 percent from beyond the arc and Utah is making 8.5 3-pointers per game. WVU is last in the league in rebounding margin, and fourth in turnover margin.

Over their last five games, their most frequent lineup on the floor has been Javon Small, Sencire Harris, Jonathan Powell, Toby Okani, and Amani Hansberry. This lineup has been used 25.1 percent of the time over the last five games.

WVU’s leading scorer is Small averaging 18.2 points per game. Small has scored 20 or more points 12 times this year and in those games, WVU is 8-4 in those games.

West Virginia is ranked 48th in the NET, and 53rd by KenPom. This is considered a Quad 1 game for WVU and the Mountaineers are 5-10 in such games this season.

NCAA Tournament/Standings Implications

This game could go a long way in terms of where teams play in the Big 12 Tournament. The top 8 seeds in the Big 12 earn a bye in the tournament and currently both Utah and WVU are 8-10 in league play, which is tied for 9th in the league. The winner of this game will have a chance to get into the top eight of the standings.

As far as the NCAA Tournament picture goes, WVU is a 10-seed in the latest Bracket Matrix projections, with their average seed line at a 9.95. Utah is not in the NCAA Tournament picture.

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West Virginia

Man facing multiple charges after two-day investigation

Published

3 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Press Room

Man facing multiple charges after two-day investigation

KENOVA, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A man is facing multiple felony charges after a two-day investigation, according to West Virginia State Police.

On Friday, troopers say they responded to a brandishing complaint in Kenova.

During the investigation, troopers located the suspect, Skylar M. Larcart, 27, of Kenova, and found a firearm.

Troopers say they were then granted permission to search Larcart’s residence and vehicle. Their search resulted in the finding of a rifle, approximately 25 grams of marijuana and digital scales.

On Saturday, troopers say they also obtained a search warrant at Larcart’s residence.

During this search, investigators found multiple firearms, controlled substances and U.S. currency.

As a result of the investigation, Larcart was charged with 17 counts of persons prohibited from possessing firearms and three counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Troopers say over the course of the two-day investigation, Larcart accumulated a total of 21 felony charges and three misdemeanor charges.

Larcart is currently being held in the Western Regional Jail on a $20,000 bond.

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West Virginia

West Virginia Falls Short Against North Carolina

Published

13 hours ago

June 14, 2026

Press Room

West Virginia Falls Short Against North Carolina

The West Virginia Mountaineers (46-16) fell to the North Carolina Tarheels (53-12-1) Sunday night 5-2 in the second game of the College World Series.

With a little luck, North Carolina scratched a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. Junior Jake Schaffner hit a leadoff single back up the middle before junior Owen Hall rolled a single through the left side. Then, on the first pitch delivered junior Macon Winslow was awarded first base after it was ruled the ball hit his foot. Despite no evidence on replay, he remained at first.

West Virginia starting pitcher Maxx Yehl walked in the first run and junior Erik Paulsen brought in a run with a slow high chopper towards first for a 2-0 lead.

The Mountaineers pulled within a run in the third after senior Ben Lumsden singled to right field and advanced to second on a ground ball from junior Tyrus Hall. Then, junior Armani Guzman drove an RBI single to centerfield.

West Virginia evened the game in the fourth when senior Sean Smith received a leadoff walk and senior Matt Graveline singled to right centerfield, placing runners at the corners before sophomore Matt Ineich hit into a double play, but brought in the tying run.

In the seventh, the Tarheels took advantage of the West Virginia miscues to take the lead. An error from Hall at third put the leadoff hitter aboard. Then, with one out, a bobble ball from senior second baseman Brodie Kresser on a potential inning ending double play, put two aboard before junior Gavin Gallaher drove a two-RBI triple to right centerfield. Hull followed with a chopper over the mound for an RBI single before Yehl could get out of the frame as UNC held a 5-2 advantage.

Yehl took the mound in the eight and after giving up the eighth hit of the night, WVU head coach Steve Sabins turned to senior Reese Bassinger. The redshirt junior finished the night with seven strikeouts and was credited with two earned runs.

After North Carolina sophomore starting pitcher Ryan Lynch was removed in the fifth, sophomore Walker McDuffie tossed 4.2 scoreless innings before Ineich was issued a one-out walk and Kresser followed with a single to bring the tying run to the plate. UNC head coach Scott Forbes handed the ball to freshman right-hander Caden Glauber

Glauber closed the door with a pair of strikeouts as the Tarheels held on for the 5-2 decision.

West Virginia will face Troy on Tuesday in an elimination game. The first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. EST and the action will be televised on ESPN.

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West Virginia

West Virginia Strikes Big in Transfer Portal, Lands Speedy OF Jack Cannon

Published

23 hours ago

June 14, 2026

Press Room

West Virginia Strikes Big in Transfer Portal, Lands Speedy OF Jack Cannon

Steve Sabins said a few days ago that he has a soft spot for the guys at the lower level who grind for everything and aren’t entitled. Well, he just added another piece to the 2027 puzzle with someone who fits that bill in Le Moyne outfielder Jack Cannon (6’3”, 215).

“Let’s Go!! Thank the Lord Jesus Christ and everyone else who has guided me on this journey, but it’s time for the next chapter! Go Mountaineers,” Cannon tweeted when announcing his commitment to the program on Saturday.

Le Moyne is a Division I school, but is a low major, being a member of the NEC. Still, the skill set Cannon brings to Morganton is very transferable — he gets on base, and when he does, he typically ends up on second not too long after.

Cannon swiped 51 bags in 55 attempts this season, finishing the season with the second-most stolen bases in the country. Oh, and he also happens to rank second nationally in batting average (.439), recording 86 hits in 196 at-bats. It’s not all speed and contact, though; Cannon has some pop in that bat. He belted 10 homers and 19 doubles while driving in 64 runs. For the cherry on top, he doesn’t have much swing and miss in his game. He has a great feel for the strike zone, striking out just 28 times compared to 25 walks.

Potential role at West Virginia in 2027

Cannon was consistently in the three-hole for the Dolphins this season, but at West Virginia, there’s a chance he could be in the leadoff spot, especially if Armani Guzman is drafted (very likely) and signs. Then again, he could remain in the three-hole and have a similar type of impact that Paul Schoenfeld has had this season. Cannon does have more speed and a little more power than Schoenfeld, but the glove is very similar. Cannon will be a candidate to start in right field, but could also fill in at first base some as well. He is one of the very few players out there who throws left and bats right.

He will have one year of eligibility remaining under the current eligibility rules.