Former WVU Stars, College Basketball Analysts, and Wren Baker React to Win Over Kansas

What a way for the Mountaineers to close out the calendar year!

Schuyler Callihan | Dec 31, 2024

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West Virginia Mountaineers

December 31st, 2024 will go down as one of the most memorable days in WVU sports history as the men's basketball team notched its first-ever win at Phog Allen Fieldhouse over the seventh-ranked Kansas Jayhawks.

Everything that could have gone wrong before tip-off went wrong for the Mountaineers. Their flight was delayed several hours, they lost power at the hotel early Tuesday morning, and were without two starters - Tucker DeVries and Amani Hansberry - and still left Lawrence victorious.

Coming into the game, Kansas head coach Bill Self had lost only 18 home games in his 22 seasons on the job. Beating the Jayhawks on their home floor doesn't happen often, and for a group that was pieced together over the summer, it's incredible that they were able to overcome all of the adversity.

Following the win, several WVU alums, administrators, and college basketball analysts gave their reaction to the result on X.

Jon Rothstein - CBS Sports

West Virginia's wins before January 1:

At Kansas
Gonzaga
Arizona

Mountaineers are in firm position to be in the NCAA Tournament in 2025. https://t.co/IIHyqMX1xK
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 31, 2024

Dick Vitale - ESPN

A great job is being done @WVUhoops under new leader @Coach_DeVries as he gets a major win today on the road @KUHoops 62-61 vs # 7 Kansas.Also tip hat to underrated Coach Mark Schmidt @BonniesMBB as they beat @VCU_Hoops to go to 13-1! @wojespn impacts @StBonaventure hoops !
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 31, 2024

Jeff Goodman - Field of 68

Darian DeVries and West Virginia have already beaten Kansas, Gonzaga and Arizona this season.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) December 31, 2024

Fran Frischilla - ESPN

The Huggs Era at @WVUhoops was great. So many memories. The @Coach_DeVries is off to a great start. Cue Country Roads. @Big12Conference
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) December 31, 2024

Wren Baker - WVU Director of Athletics

WHAT A WIN!!! Heck of a close to 2024! Happy New Year Mountaineers! Let’s Go!! https://t.co/cMItN016h5
— Wren Baker (@wrenbaker) December 31, 2024

JJ Wetherholt - Former WVU infielder

Let’s go!!!!!! https://t.co/awvkAkI24P
— JJ Wetherholt (@jj_wetherholt) December 31, 2024

Sean McNeil - Former WVU Guard

Big time win! Crazy potential for this team 👀 @WVUhoops #rollmounties
— Sean McNeil (@SeanMcNeil22) December 31, 2024

Erik Stevenson - Former WVU Guard

🔥🔥 https://t.co/7O6HpVoahW
— Erik Stevenson (@ej_stevenson5) December 31, 2024

Deuce McBride - Former WVU Guard

What a Win!!! This team is serious🔥🔥#Goeers
— M11es McBride (@deucemcb11) December 31, 2024

Gordon Gee - WVU President

Let's go! What a win by @wvuhoops. https://t.co/2akChtcC41
— E. Gordon Gee (@gordongee) December 31, 2024