Virginia
Is West Virginia a Preseason Top 25 Team?
For the first time since 2018, we can have a serious conversation about West Virginia and the preseason top 25 rankings. The Mountaineers rattled off nine wins in 2023, ending the year on a strong note winning five of its final six games including a win over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Neal Brown and GM Drew Fabianich did a masterful job of keeping the roster intact through the two transfer portal windows. Of course, they lost a few contributors, but nothing they can’t replace.
WVU returns three members of what was considered to be one of the top offensive line’s in all of college football in 2024. Two others, Nick Malone and Xavier Bausley, have started games at the collegiate level. The depth up front is in terrific shape. In the backfield, the Mountaineers will feature one of the top duos in the country with the contrasting styles of Jahiem White and CJ Donaldson. At receiver, they see the return of four of their top five pass catchers from a year ago, including tight end Kole Taylor who led the team with 35 receptions.
Defensively, the front seven is the unit’s strength. They’ll be able to rotate in anywhere from six to eight along the defensive line while housing the most depth they’ve had at linebacker since this staff arrived in 2019. The secondary is the biggest question mark. On paper, it looks to be an improved group but there are several new faces that make up that third level of the defense which could take some time to gel.
There’s more than enough proven talent on this roster for West Virginia to have a number next to its name to start the 2024 season, but will they? My guess is no. They’ll continue to rank the bigger brands who always fall extremely short of expectations instead – think of Miami, Texas A&M, USC and Tennessee – and others who probably aren’t as deserving but could find their way in such as Louisville, Kentucky, and Virginia Tech. If I had a vote, I’d put West Virginia in the 22-24 range. Instead, they’ll be in the back end of “receiving votes” category when the first set of rankings come out in a matter of weeks.
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There’s little change in the latest High School on SI Virginia girls basketball Top 25 poll as all 25 squads return from last week.
Undefeated Princess Anne is again No. 1 followed by The Saint James Performance Academy, Bishop Ireton, Catholic-Virginia Beach and Menchville. Shining Stars Sports Academy, Manchester, Potomac School, Saint Anne’s-Belfield School and Osbourn Park complete the Top 10.
Five teams – Langley, Manor, Thomas Dale, Oakton and Centreville – each moved up one spot.
Here’s this week’s High School on SI Virginia girls basketball Top 25:
Previous rank: No. 1
Record: 17-0
The Cavaliers defeated No. 16 Salem-Virginia Beach, 70-45, and Bayside, 86-13.
Previous rank: No. 2
Record: 12-3
The Strivers extended their winning streak to 10 with a 63-37 decision over Kingdom Collegiate Academy (Tex.).
Previous rank: No. 3
Record: 14-5
The Cardinals defeated No. 11 Saint Paul VI Catholic, 57-53 after a loss to Elizabeth Seton (Md.)
Previous rank: No. 4
Record: 12-8
The Crusaders defeated Norfolk Academy and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy by a combined 148 points.
Previous rank: No. 5
Record: 11-1
The Monarchs are scheduled to play Woodside Tuesday.
Previous rank: No. 6
Record: 12-4
The Panthers defeated Newman (Mass.) and Saint Frances Academy (Md.) at The More Than A Highlight Showcase in New York.
Previous rank: No. 7
Record: 14-1
The Lancers ran their winning streak to 13 with a 93-22 victory over Huguenot.
Previous rank: No. 8
Record: 12-6
The Panthers rebounded from a loss to District of Columbia No. 2 Sidwell Friends School with wins over Georgetown Day School (D.C.) and Flint Hill School (Va.).
Previous rank: No. 9
Record: 13-3
The Saints defeated Trinity Episcopal School, 80-33.
Previous rank: No. 10
Record: 12-6
The Yellowjackets defeated Unity Reed.
Previous rank: No. 11
Record: 16-5
The Panthers dropped an overtime decision to No. 3 Bishop Ireton.
Previous rank: No. 12
Record: 14-5
The Patriots dropped decisions to Monsignor Scanlan (N.Y.) and Gill Saint Bernard’s School (N.J.).
Previous rank: No. 13
Record: 15-1
The Stallions defeated Lake Braddock and Carter G. Woodson.
Previous rank: No. 16
Record: 15-1
The Eagles have won eight straight by double-digits.
Previous rank: No. 15
Record: 12-3
The Wolverines defeated West Springfield and James W. Robinson.
Previous rank: No. 16
Record: 15-3
The Sundevils rebounded from a loss to No. 1 Princess Anne with a 78-7 win over Kempsville.
Previous rank: No. 17
Record: 13-4
The Knights defeated Landstown (75-47) and First Colonial (73-21).
Previous rank: No. 19
Record: 16-1
The Saxons defeated McLean, 55-23.
Previous rank: No. 20
Record: 12-1
The Mustangs defeated Churchland.
Previous rank: No. 21
Record: 14-0
The Knights defeated Petersburg (73-30) and Hopewell (72-46).
Previous rank: No. 22
Record: 15-4
The Cougars defeated Westfield and James Madison.
Previous rank: No. 23
Record: 13-4
The Wildcats defeated James Madison and then-No. 18 Chantilly.
Previous rank: No. 23
Record: 17-1
The Spartans defeated Lord Botetourt (42-31) and Cave Spring (56-19).
Previous rank: No. 24
Record: 14-2
The Bulldogs defeated Indian River and Oscar Smith by an average margin of 65 points.
Previous rank: No. 25
Record: 10-7
The Ambassadors defeated Norfolk Collegiate Academy, 77-32.
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