Should West Virginia Hang The Crown Championship Banner?

Fans debate whether to celebrate the team's first-year tournament win.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:05pm

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An abstract, cubist-style painting depicting the energy and movement of a college basketball championship celebration, with the players' forms fractured and overlapping in a vibrant, geometric composition.The Mountaineers' surprise championship victory has sparked a debate over whether to celebrate their accomplishment with a banner in the Coliseum.Morgantown Today

In his first season as head coach, Ross Hodge led the West Virginia Mountaineers to a surprise victory in The Crown, a new college basketball tournament. The win has sparked debate among fans over whether the team should hang a championship banner in the Coliseum, with some arguing it doesn't carry the same weight as NCAA Tournament or conference titles.

Why it matters

Hanging a championship banner is a significant milestone for any program, representing progress and building momentum. However, some fans feel The Crown lacks the prestige of more established tournaments, and that raising the bar too low could diminish the standard for what gets celebrated at West Virginia.

The details

The Crown is a new college basketball tournament that is still establishing itself, unlike the long-standing tradition of the NCAA Tournament or conference championships. In his first year as head coach, Ross Hodge led the Mountaineers to a surprise victory, capping off a 21-14 season. The win came with a $300,000 prize, but some fans argue it doesn't carry the same weight as other titles.

  • The Mountaineers won The Crown championship in April 2026.
  • The debate over hanging the banner began shortly after the team's victory.

The players

Ross Hodge

The first-year head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers, who led the team to an unexpected championship in The Crown tournament.

The Mountaineers

The West Virginia University men's basketball team, who finished the 2025-26 season with a 21-14 record and won The Crown championship.

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What they’re saying

“Hanging a banner isn't just about the name of the tournament, it's about what it represents. Does this moment mark the start of something bigger for WVU basketball? Is this the foundation of a new era under Hodge? Or does putting it up feel like lowering the standard for what gets celebrated in Morgantown?”

— The Voice of Motown, Opinionated blog covering West Virginia University athletics

What’s next

The university will need to decide in the coming weeks whether to hang the championship banner in the Coliseum, a decision that will likely be influenced by fan sentiment and the program's long-term goals.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the balance between celebrating progress and maintaining high standards for a storied college basketball program like West Virginia. The decision on the championship banner will set the tone for the Mountaineers' future under Coach Hodge.