West Virginia
Game Preview: West Virginia vs. Utah men's basketball
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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CHARLESTON, W.Va (WCHS) — The West Virginia PSC held a public comment hearing on Tuesday regarding West Virginia American Water taking over Lincoln Lincoln Public Service District.
Only one person spoke out sharing what they’d like to see done if West Virginia American Water acquires the Lincoln PSD.
“If the company wants to get to folks who really need water, they should be looking at areas where drilling well is nearly impossible, like mine, which is actually closer to the lines than some of the places they mention in their filing. My neighbors and I live closer to the main water lines than the proposed Sugar Tree Road extension or the one and a half miles out to the campground that they plan on serving,” a Lincoln PSD customer shared during the meeting.
Lincoln PSD issued a boil water advisory on January 26th, and it wasn’t lifted until March 31st, leaving some customers not able to use what was coming out of their faucets.
Just last year, the Lincoln County Commission voted to move forward with the dissolution of the Lincoln PSD, but, in September, the district filed a petition to stop the sale to West Virginia American Water. Soon after in November, PSC staff submitted a request asking the applicants to give specific financial information.
West Virginia American Water issued the following statement at Tuesday’s meeting:
“West Virginia American Water has been working collaboratively with the Lincoln County Commission and the Lincoln County Public Service District Board regarding the possible acquisition of the Lincoln County Public Service District. The proposal would involve the purchase of the 2,532-customer system. We appreciate the opportunity for public input and look forward to continuing to work through the Public Service Commission’s review process.”
Lincoln PSD customers received a letter in the mail this week stating that the system violated drinking water monitoring requirements. The utility noted what was done to correct the situation and added that customers are not at risk.
Customers were also alerted Tuesday night of a boil water notice tonight due to a recent inspection concluding that the utility is not currently meeting the minimum disinfection requirements for surface water facilities.
One of the best quarterbacks in recent memory to come through West Virginia, Will Grier, is approaching his eighth year in the NFL, which is quite the accomplishment for a backup. According to multiple reports early Tuesday morning, Grier is headed home, signing a free agent deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Grier was selected in the third round (100th overall) by the Panthers in 2019 and, at the time, was viewed as someone who could potentially be the future face of the franchise. That plan got messed up pretty early as Ron Rivera was fired during his rookie season, ultimately replaced by Matt Rhule. That offseason, the Panthers decided to cut ties with Cam Newton and bring in Teddy Bridgewater, giving Carolina a completely different direction at quarterback.
Following his second season with the Panthers, Grier was let go and began bouncing around the league. He spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and then back to the Cowboys in 2024 and 2025.
Although he has only played in two regular season games in his career, Grier is widely viewed as a tremendous veteran quarterback who can bring depth to a room and serve as an extra voice for the starter to lean on. In this case, he and former Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett will fill that role for Bryce Young.
Where Grier ranks among WVU QBs in the NFL
Statistically, he’s not going to catch anyone unless he somehow gets thrown into a starting role at some point, but as far as longevity goes, he’s been able to stick around in the NFL longer than most former Mountaineer quarterbacks.
Geno Smith (still active) is entering his 14th year in the league, and Jeff Hostetler made it 13 years. Those are the only two WVU quarterbacks who played longer. Marc Bulger played eight years, so as long as he makes it through this season and plays in 2027, he’ll surpass him. The others? Charles Seabright (six years), Oliver Luck (four years), Pat White (one year), and Fred Wyant (one year).
Grier will forever be remembered as one of the best to ever suit up for the Old Gold and Blue, tossing for 7,354 yards and 71 touchdowns in just two seasons in Dana Holgorsen’s offense. Following the 2018 season, he finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, marking the highest finish for a Mountaineer since Steve Slaton in 2006.
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MORGANTOWN, WV — The American Institute of Architects West Virginia (AIA WV) recognized design excellence, honored distinguished service and celebrated emerging talent at its 2026 Design Awards Gala and Scholarship Benefit, held at Hotel Morgan in Morgantown.
The annual program highlights architectural work that demonstrates design quality and meaningful impact on communities across West Virginia and beyond. This year’s awards were determined through a blind jury process led by Christopher Meyers, FAIA, of Meyers+Associates in Columbus, Ohio. Projects were evaluated on clarity of concept, execution and long-term impact.
The program’s highest recognition, the Honor Award for New Construction, was presented to the Library and Active Living Center at Afton Ridge in Kannapolis, North Carolina, designed by Silling with design architect HBM Architects, and the Marshall County Health Department in Moundsville, West Virginia, designed by Silling.
Merit Awards for New Construction were awarded to the WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital Orthopedic Hospital Entry Addition in Charleston, West Virginia (Silling); Coalfield Elementary School in Welch, West Virginia (The Thrasher Group); and Northwood Health Systems in Wheeling, West Virginia (M&G Architects & Engineers with MSA Design).
Citations for New Construction were presented to Alderson Elementary School (The Thrasher Group) and the Oglebay Park Resort Wilson Lodge Porte Cochere (Mills Group).
A Merit Award in Renovation/Restoration was awarded to the Cabarrus County Courthouse – Phase 2 in Concord, North Carolina, designed by Silling with HBM Architects.
In the Interiors category, a Merit Award was presented to Building 2000 Renovation in Friendly, West Virginia (Pickering Associates), while Cedar Grove Elementary School (ZMM Architects and Engineers) received a Citation.
A Citation in Small Projects was awarded to the Cabell County Courthouse Clock Tower Restoration in Huntington, West Virginia (Edward Tucker Architects).
The Community Impact Award was presented to the Woody Williams Center for Advanced Learning and Careers in Barboursville, West Virginia, designed by ZMM Architects and Engineers, recognizing its impact on education and workforce development.
The 25 Year Award, honoring enduring architectural significance, was presented to the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston, West Virginia, designed by Silling.
AIA West Virginia also presented the James L. Montgomery Award, the organization’s highest individual honor, to William E. Yoke Jr., AIA Emeritus, in recognition of a lifetime of distinguished service to the profession and lasting contributions to the built environment.
The evening also recognized the next generation of architects, with the West Virginia Foundation for Architecture (WVFA) awarding scholarships to ten students pursuing degrees in architecture. These awards reflect the Foundation’s continued commitment to supporting emerging talent and strengthening the future of the profession.
The AIA West Virginia Design Awards program underscores the role architects play in shaping communities through thoughtful, enduring design. This year’s recipients reflect a continued commitment to advancing the quality of the built environment while responding to evolving community needs.
Additional information, including detailed project descriptions and photography, is available in the Awards Gallery at www.aiawv.org.
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