WVU Basketball Coaches Struggle to Explain Slow Starts

Head coach Ross Hodge and senior guard Honor Huff offer differing perspectives on why the team has fallen behind early in games.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The West Virginia University basketball team has struggled with slow starts in recent games, including a 61-56 loss to Utah on Wednesday where they fell behind 18-2 early on. Both head coach Ross Hodge and senior guard Honor Huff attempted to explain the team's inability to come out with urgency and energy, with Huff suggesting they try to "feel out" the game rather than attacking from the start. Hodge partially agreed, saying the team needs to play with more desperation and aggression, especially on the defensive end. The Mountaineers were also badly outrebounded in the game, an issue Hodge said needs to be addressed along with improved free throw shooting if they want to overcome early deficits.

Why it matters

WVU's slow starts have put them in deep holes early in games, forcing them to play catch-up the rest of the way. This is an ongoing issue that the coaching staff is struggling to resolve, and it could continue to hamper the team's performance if not addressed. The rebounding and free throw shooting struggles also highlight areas that need improvement for the Mountaineers to be more competitive in close games.

The details

In the loss to Utah, WVU fell behind 18-2 early after allowing two 9-0 runs by the Utes. Huff suggested the team tries to "feel out" the game instead of starting with urgency, while Hodge said the lack of desperation and aggression, particularly on defense, is the bigger issue. The Mountaineers were outrebounded 38-28 in the game, including a 23-12 deficit at halftime. Hodge pointed to the rebounding and poor free throw shooting (7-for-14) as key factors in their inability to mount a comeback.

  • WVU lost to Utah 61-56 on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Honor Huff

A senior guard for the West Virginia University basketball team.

Ross Hodge

The head coach of the West Virginia University basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“I think we just come out lethargic. I think we are trying to feel the game out, and when we do that, the other team is pressing... you have a team like that, that had nothing to lose, they, they come in here with reckless advantage and they're pushing it at us, and we don't have a response because we're not in tune with the physicality of that process of them and their offensive prowess.”

— Honor Huff, Senior Guard (wvsportsnow.com)

“Maybe that's fair. We're certainly not playing with the level of desperation and urgency and aggression that you need, you know, on, on either end of the floor, primarily the defensive end of the floor... I think you have to play with a level of urgency in this league and, again, our margin for error is this thin. That's the truth.”

— Ross Hodge, Head Coach (wvsportsnow.com)

What’s next

The WVU basketball team will take the court again at 5 p.m. on Saturday when they battle TCU on the road.

The takeaway

WVU's slow starts and inability to play with consistent urgency and aggression have put them in early deficits that are difficult to overcome. Addressing the team's rebounding and free throw shooting struggles will also be crucial if they want to avoid these types of slow starts going forward.