WVU Basketball Faces Utah in Crucial Big 12 Matchup

Mountaineers look to build on recent road win as they host struggling Utes

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The West Virginia University men's basketball team is looking to build on a recent road victory as they return home to face the Utah Utes on Wednesday night at the WVU Coliseum. The Mountaineers (16-9, 7-5 Big 12) are coming off a 74-67 win at UCF on Saturday, overcoming a double-digit second-half deficit. WVU head coach Ross Hodge praised his team's improved ball security and the performances of guard Honor Huff and forward Jasper Floyd. Utah (9-16, 1-11 Big 12) enters the game on a seven-game losing streak, but boasts two of the league's top scorers in Terrence Brown and Don McHenry.

Why it matters

This Big 12 matchup is crucial for West Virginia's NCAA Tournament hopes, as they currently sit tied for sixth in the conference standings and are on the bubble for an at-large bid. A win over the struggling Utes could help the Mountaineers strengthen their tournament resume.

The details

WVU overcame a double-digit deficit in the second half to beat UCF on Saturday, with guard Honor Huff leading the team in scoring with 21 points. Jasper Floyd also had a strong performance, scoring 17 points. Center Harlan Obioha made key defensive contributions despite not scoring. Utah has struggled this season, going 1-11 in Big 12 play, but boasts two of the conference's top scorers in Terrence Brown and Don McHenry.

  • The game will be played on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
  • WVU is coming off a 74-67 win at UCF on Saturday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Ross Hodge

The head coach of the West Virginia University men's basketball team.

Honor Huff

A guard for the West Virginia University men's basketball team who led the team in scoring with 21 points in the win over UCF.

Jasper Floyd

A forward for the West Virginia University men's basketball team who scored 17 points in the win over UCF.

Harlan Obioha

A center for the West Virginia University men's basketball team who made key defensive contributions in the win over UCF despite not scoring.

Terrence Brown

A player for the Utah Utes men's basketball team who is one of the top scorers in the Big 12 Conference.

Don McHenry

A player for the Utah Utes men's basketball team who is also one of the top scorers in the Big 12 Conference.

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What they’re saying

“We only had one turnover in the last 15 minutes of the second half. We have talked about that. It is not football so it all flows together. If you are taking care of the football and you get good shots and you are able to be efficient on offense and you are able to set your defense, that's where we are at our best.”

— Ross Hodge, Head Coach, West Virginia University (newsdirectory3.com)

“He is our leader and he is our captain. To see him step up the way that he did in this last game, sometimes it is like, where was that in some games where we needed it? I am proud of him. He is so selfless. Sometimes, we need him to be more selfish, like he was Saturday at UCF.”

— Honor Huff, Guard, West Virginia University (newsdirectory3.com)

“He made big shots and he has done that throughout his career in certain moments. He gives you another punch. We've talked about those opportunities being there for him. He's got to step into those with confidence and he did.”

— Ross Hodge, Head Coach, West Virginia University (newsdirectory3.com)

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a step closer to securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament, while the loser will face an uphill battle to make the field.

The takeaway

This Big 12 matchup between West Virginia and Utah is a crucial game for the Mountaineers' NCAA Tournament hopes. WVU is looking to build on a recent road victory, while the struggling Utes present an opportunity for the Mountaineers to strengthen their tournament resume.