December 31st, 2024 will go down as one of the most memorable days in WVU sports history as the men’s basketball team notched its first-ever win at Phog Allen Fieldhouse over the seventh-ranked Kansas Jayhawks.
Everything that could have gone wrong before tip-off went wrong for the Mountaineers. Their flight was delayed several hours, they lost power at the hotel early Tuesday morning, and were without two starters – Tucker DeVries and Amani Hansberry – and still left Lawrence victorious.
Coming into the game, Kansas head coach Bill Self had lost only 18 home games in his 22 seasons on the job. Beating the Jayhawks on their home floor doesn’t happen often, and for a group that was pieced together over the summer, it’s incredible that they were able to overcome all of the adversity.
Following the win, several WVU alums, administrators, and college basketball analysts gave their reaction to the result on X.
West Virginia’s wins before January 1:
At Kansas
Gonzaga
ArizonaMountaineers are in firm position to be in the NCAA Tournament in 2025. https://t.co/IIHyqMX1xK
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 31, 2024
A great job is being done @WVUhoops under new leader @Coach_DeVries as he gets a major win today on the road @KUHoops 62-61 vs # 7 Kansas.Also tip hat to underrated Coach Mark Schmidt @BonniesMBB as they beat @VCU_Hoops to go to 13-1! @wojespn impacts @StBonaventure hoops !
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 31, 2024
Darian DeVries and West Virginia have already beaten Kansas, Gonzaga and Arizona this season.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) December 31, 2024
The Huggs Era at @WVUhoops was great. So many memories. The @Coach_DeVries is off to a great start. Cue Country Roads. @Big12Conference
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) December 31, 2024
WHAT A WIN!!! Heck of a close to 2024! Happy New Year Mountaineers! Let’s Go!! https://t.co/cMItN016h5
— Wren Baker (@wrenbaker) December 31, 2024
Let’s go!!!!!! https://t.co/awvkAkI24P
— JJ Wetherholt (@jj_wetherholt) December 31, 2024
Big time win! Crazy potential for this team 👀 @WVUhoops #rollmounties
— Sean McNeil (@SeanMcNeil22) December 31, 2024
— Erik Stevenson (@ej_stevenson5) December 31, 2024
What a Win!!! This team is serious🔥🔥#Goeers
— M11es McBride (@deucemcb11) December 31, 2024
Let’s go! What a win by @wvuhoops. https://t.co/2akChtcC41
— E. Gordon Gee (@gordongee) December 31, 2024
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