A new era of West Virginia men’s basketball is officially underway, and new coach Ross Hodge is already laying the foundation for a tough, physical, defense-first team. In the Big 12 – a league where bruising defense and relentless effort are prerequisites for success – Hodge is building a program that’s ready to get its hands dirty.
READ MORE: Built to Defend: Ross Hodge Ushers in a New Era of WVU Basketball
Since taking over, Hodge has wasted no time in the transfer portal, adding a host of new faces with the shared traits of length, energy, and defensive tenacity. The latest addition, DJ Thomas, is a major get. The 6’0” point guard from UNLV was a standout freshman, averaging 13.4 points and 5.1 assists per game while shooting 42.4% from the field. Known for his court vision and ability to create for others, Thomas also brings the kind of edge on defense that Hodge wants leading his backcourt.
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He joins a growing transfer class that includes Jackson Fields (Troy), Jasper Floyd (North Texas), Honor Huff (Chattanooga), Brenen Lorient (North Texas), and Harlan Obioha (UNC Wilmington).
Tenacious D
Fields, a 6’7” forward, averaged 7.9 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting nearly 49% from the floor. He brings length and athleticism to the frontcourt. Floyd, a 6’3” guard, added 9.0 points, 3.9 assists, and nearly 3 rebounds per game, earning a reputation as a backcourt disruptor. Huff, a 15-point-per-game scorer at Chattanooga, adds an offensive spark but has shown the ability to defend multiple positions.
Lorient, a 6’9” forward who shot nearly 57% from the field, brings both rim protection and offensive efficiency. Obioha, a true 7-footer, posted 9.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game and adds serious size in the paint.
But the rebuild isn’t just about newcomers. WVU is retaining three key players: Jayden Stone, Abraham Oyeadier, and Haris Elezovic. Stone is a dynamic scorer with Power Five experience who could be a two-way leader on the wing. Oyeadier brings raw athleticism and defensive upside, while Elezovic gives the Mountaineers a physical, experienced presence down low.
“We’re going to go rebound every time this ball goes up, grab it with two hands, and put it in the basket,” Hodge said. “That’s who we’re going to be.”
Ross Hodge’s defensive philosophy is rooted in the “no-middle” defense, a scheme he adopted during his tenure at North Texas. This approach, influenced by Mark Adams’ system at Texas Tech, emphasizes preventing offensive players from penetrating the middle of the court, effectively steering them toward the sidelines and baselines. The goal is to disrupt the flow of the opposing offense, limit high-percentage shots, and force turnovers.
Implementing this system requires versatile, athletic defenders capable of switching assignments and maintaining constant communication. Hodge’s teams at North Texas excelled in this regard, leading the nation in scoring defense during the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons, allowing just 55.7 and 55.8 points per game, respectively. In his first year as head coach, the team ranked 12th nationally in scoring defense and improved to third in the nation the following season.
The Blueprint
It’s a style that mirrors the success of Big 12 powerhouse Houston, where Kelvin Sampson built a national contender on the backs of elite defense, rebounding, and toughness. Hodge, who spent years working under Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland when they were at North Texas, is cut from the same cloth.
“This is an incredible honor. It’s a blessing and an opportunity that I certainly don’t take lightly,” Hodge said during his introductory press conference. “We’re going to build something West Virginians can be proud of.”
The pieces are falling into place. With a defensive identity forming and a blend of experience and upside, the Mountaineers might not just be rebuilding – they might be reloading.
Built to Defend: Ross Hodge Ushers in a New Era of WVU Basketball
