West Virginia
Chester Frazier Shares Heartfelt Message to West Virginia
Welcome to The Shotgun/Throwdown, your daily West Virginia sports roundup (that we didn’t already talk about in another article) with some sophomoric humor and daily distractions thrown in for good measure. And if there’s something we missed, be sure to talk about it in the comments.
FOOTBALL
WVU’s Nysewander Sees Similarities in Rodriguez and Saban | West Virginia University Athletics
“(Saban) and coach Rodriguez are very similar, in my opinion,” Nysewander said. “I think it’s the blue-collar, West Virginia-type feel.”
Nysewander was destined to coach with Rodriguez | Blue Gold News
If Rich Rodriguez ever wants to market his hard-edge philosophy of football, Nysewander would be the face of it.
The end of spring football means the start of the next phases of WVU’s offseason | EerSports
The spring ends with Saturday’s spring showcase, but Rich Rodriguez will keep the team busy the next few months.
BASKETBALL
What a year!!! Thought this was probably my most rewarding year as a coach. We got a lot out of this group and they gave us EVERYTHING they had!!! A group that was fun to be around and coach—from the Italy trip to that last buzzer in Kansas City! I had no doubt we built a resume that deserved to be in the field!!
Want to say thank you to our players, the staff, administration, fans, and everyone who played a part in the season!! How fun was the Bahamas trip… winning in the Phog… at home vs Iowa State…
Want to send special thanks to our seniors—appreciate the way you represented this season! It wasn’t easy, but we sure found a way!! Future is bright for all of you!!
To the Mountaineer fans—you guys are the best!!! Thanks for your undying loyalty and love for WVU!! You guys made my family feel welcomed and we will always be appreciative!! Wish we could’ve finished what we started, but I’m sure you guys will be great!!!
WITH LOVE, FRAZ
Mountaineer Memories: WVU’s all-time top 10 women’s basketball players | Blue Gold News
There’s little question that JJ Quinerly, who stayed through three coaching changes and left every ounce of energy on the WVU Coliseum floor, will long be remembered as one of the best women’s basketball players to ever play for the Mountaineers. But just where do Quinerly’s four seasons rank among the all-time great Mountaineer careers?
BASEBALL
WVU wins weekend of inches; heads for two midweek non-conference games | Blue Gold News
WVU is prepared for single non-conference games against Ohio State on the road on Tuesday and against Pitt at home on Wednesday. Both are winnable games in which the Mountaineers will be favored, but anyone with baseball knowledge understands that one game can break any which way.
Mountaineers Set for Split Midweek at Ohio State, Home Against Pitt | West Virginia University Athletics
The West Virginia University baseball team is set for two midweek games, first on the road at Ohio State on Tuesday, before coming home to face Pitt in the first edition of the Backyard Brawl this season on Wednesday.
WVU ATHLETICS
Naukot Named Student-Athlete of the Week | West Virginia University Athletics
After shattering West Virginia’s 10,000-meter record, Joy Naukot of the West Virginia University track and field team has been named Student-Athlete of the Week
Rowing Opens Season with Split Squad Races | West Virginia University Athletics
The West Virginia University rowing team opened its 2025 spring season this past weekend as a split squad, with four boats competing in the Sarasota 2k in Sarasota, Florida, and two boats participating in a race against Robert Morris in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Jets Looking at Linebacker Kyzir White With $2.3M One-Year Deal | FOX Sports Radio New Jersey
In an unexpected move, the New York Jets might land linebacker Kyzir White at a bargain price of $2.3 million for one year. This deal would be a steal, coming in well below his usual market value of $5.8 million per year
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West Virginia
Weir High senior Hailey Hans named 2026 West Virginia student journalist of the year
Hancock County, WV — A Weir High School senior has been recognized as the 2026 West Virginia Student Journalist of the Year.
Hailey Hans was selected for the statewide honor after building a journalism portfolio since her freshman year. She also serves as the staff manager of Weir Student Media, where she oversees articles and is in charge of deadlines.
“When I was a freshman I was placed in the journalism one class, and I actually tried to get pulled from the class. But, then after I sat in the class and I learned a little bit, that’s where my love grew and then from there I continued to take classes, I helped pass a law, and I got to these national conventions. Where it just lit a fire inside me,” Hans said.
Hans is planning to attend West Liberty University in the fall to study education with a minor in journalism, with the goal of becoming a journalism teacher. She will now submit her portfolio for the national-level contest.
West Virginia
Big 12 Conference Bracket Matchups, Dates, and Start Times
The regular season is now behind us, and we are moving on to the next chapter of the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season, the week of conference tournaments.
With their win on Friday over UCF and thanks to TCU taking care of business against Cincinnati on Saturday afternoon, the West Virginia Mountaineers have locked up the No. 7 seed in the Big 12 tournament, meaning they will receive a first-round bye. Ross Hodge’s squad will await the winner of No. 10 BYU and No. 15 Kansas State.
While most may think it’s best to pull for K-State to spring the upset, it’s actually probably better if BYU wins. Why? Well, simply because beating Kansas State isn’t going to boost your resume. If there’s any chance at an at-large bid for the Mountaineers, they need to beat more quality teams. Beating BYU a second time would go a long way, and then springing the upset against Houston in the quarterfinals would really open some eyes.
Anyways, here is a look at all of the matchups and the entire bracket.
First round byes: Iowa State, TCU, West Virginia, UCF
Double byes: Arizona, Houston, Kansas, Texas Tech
Tuesday (First Round)
Game 1: No. 12 Arizona State vs. No. 13 Baylor, 12:30 p.m. on ESPN+
Game 2: No. 9 Cincinnati vs. No. 16 Utah, 3 p.m. on ESPN+
Game 3: No. 10 BYU vs. No. 15 Kansas State, 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Game 4: No. 11 Colorado vs. No. 14 Oklahoma State, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN+
Wednesday (Second Round)
Game 5: No. 5 Iowa State vs. winner of No. 12 Arizona State/No. 13 Baylor, 12:30 p.m. on ESPN/2
Game 6: No. 8 UCF vs. winner of No. 9 Cincinnati/No. 16 Utah, 3 p.m. on ESPNU
Game 7: No. 7 West Virginia vs. winner of No. 10 BYU/No. 15 Kansas State, 7 p.m. on ESPNU
Game 8: No. 6 TCU vs. winner of No. 11 Colorado/No. 14 Oklahoma State, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2/U
Thursday (Quarterfinals)
Game 9: No. 4 Texas Tech vs. Game 5 winner, 12:30 p.m. on ESPN/2
Game 10: No. 1 Arizona vs. Game 6 winner, 3 p.m. on ESPN/2
Game 11: No. 2 Houston vs. Game 7 winner, 7 p.m. on ESPN/2
Game 12: No. 3 Kansas vs. Game 8 winner, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN/2
Friday (Semifinals)
Game 13: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 7 p.m. on ESPN/2
Game 14: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN/2
Saturday (Championship)
Game 15: Game 13 winner vs. Game 14 winner, 6 p.m. on ESPN
Full Bracket
West Virginia
Gia Cooke hits clutch 3-pointer and No. 15 West Virginia women land in Big 12 Tournament title game
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Gia Cooke scored 14 points and her go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute helped No. 15 West Virginia escape with a 48-47 victory over Colorado in a Big 12 Tournament semifinal on Saturday night.
A 3-pointer by Desiree Wooten gave sixth-seeded Colorado a 45-43 lead with 1:08 remaining in the fourth quarter. On West Virginia’s next possession, Cooke’s offensive rebound led to her clutch 3-pointer that gave the second-seeded Mountaineers a 46-45 lead with 38 seconds remaining.
After a miss by Colorado, Jordan Harrison made two free throws for a three-point West Virginia lead at 16 seconds. Wooten was then fouled on a 3-point try with two seconds left but made only two free throws. Cooke was fouled immediately but missed both free throws, leaving Colorado one last chance. Instead, a steal by Harrison preserved the win for West Virginia.
The sluggish performance was not indicative of two teams that came into the matchup on a roll. Colorado had won seven of nine games and the Mountaineers had won eight of nine.
Harrison led West Virginia (26-6) with 15 points and Kierra Wheeler contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Zyanna Walker scored 16 points and Wooten 12 off the bench for Colorado (22-11).
West Virginia led 13-12 after one quarter, then neither team made a shot in the final six minutes of a dismal second quarter. The Mountaineers missed their last 10 attempts, the Buffaloes their last six, and the score was 17-17 at halftime.
West Virginia’s Jordan Harrison chases after the ball after knocking the ball away from Colorado’s Jade Masogayo during second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big 12 Conference tournament Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel
The Mountaineers opened up a 12-point lead in the third quarter, but missed their last nine shots. Still, they took a 34-30 lead to the fourth quarter.
Up next
West Virginia will play No. 10 TCU in the championship game on Sunday.
Colorado is hoping for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
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