WVU's Pace to Shift with New Recruits in 2026-27

Head coach Ross Hodge hints at faster tempo next season with improved roster

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:25pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movement and energy of a fast-paced basketball game, with sharp planes of color representing the Mountaineers' shift to a more up-tempo offensive style.A cubist interpretation of the increased pace and energy West Virginia's basketball team is expected to bring to the court next season.Houston Today

West Virginia's men's basketball team struggled with a slow pace and inefficient offense this past season, frustrating many fans. However, head coach Ross Hodge says the team's style of play will likely shift in 2026-27 with the arrival of new recruits like star point guard Miles Sadler, who will bring more speed and tempo to the Mountaineers' attack.

Why it matters

WVU's slow, plodding offense this season was a major source of fan discontent, but Hodge believes the team's personnel will be better suited for a faster pace going forward. Improving the team's tempo and efficiency is crucial for the Mountaineers to compete at a high level in the Big 12 and make deep NCAA Tournament runs like conference rival Houston has done in recent years.

The details

Hodge acknowledged that this year's team was constructed to play at a slower pace in order to maximize its chances of winning, even if the style of play was not aesthetically pleasing. However, with the addition of players like Sadler, who Hodge described as the program's highest-rated recruit ever, the Mountaineers' tempo is expected to pick up significantly next season. Hodge also noted that when backup point guard Amir Jenkins entered games, the team's pace quickened, providing a glimpse of what's to come.

  • West Virginia's 2026-27 season will begin in November 2026.

The players

Ross Hodge

Head coach of the West Virginia men's basketball team.

Miles Sadler

A highly touted recruit who will join the West Virginia men's basketball team next season and is expected to bring more speed and tempo to the Mountaineers' offense.

Amir Jenkins

A backup point guard for West Virginia who provided a spark with his faster pace of play this past season.

Jasper

A West Virginia player whose strengths do not include speed, according to Hodge.

Harlan

A West Virginia player whose strengths do not include speed, according to Hodge.

Treysen Eaglestaff

A West Virginia player whose strengths do not include speed, according to Hodge.

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What they’re saying

“It may not be that way every year because you're going to put the team in the best position that that team can do to win games. Jasper has many qualities that we've talked about that are strengths. I wouldn't say speed is one of those. Harlan has many strengths. I wouldn't say speed is one of those. Treysen (Eaglestaff), (too). So, by nature, you're not going to probably want to get into an up-and-down running game with the way that you're constructed.”

— Ross Hodge, Head Coach, West Virginia Men's Basketball

“Naturally, our pace will pick up next year with Miles Sadler because he is your quarterback and he's faster. The tempo, like even this year, you saw when Amir (Jenkins) came into the game, the tempo and the pace with Amir, Chance (Moore), and DJ (Thomas), it's going to pick up a little quicker.”

— Ross Hodge, Head Coach, West Virginia Men's Basketball

What’s next

West Virginia will look to implement a faster-paced offense during the team's offseason workouts and practices leading up to the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

After a frustrating season of slow, inefficient play, West Virginia is poised to shift to a more up-tempo style of basketball next year with the arrival of talented recruits like Miles Sadler. This change in approach should help the Mountaineers become a more exciting and competitive team in the Big 12 and NCAA Tournament.