WVU Players React to Making the Big Dance

The Mountaineers have returned to March Madness.

Sunday evening, the West Virginia Mountaineers heard their name called early, earning the No. 9 seed in the South Region taking on No. 8 Maryland in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

After starting 0-5 in Big 12 play, WVU slowly but surely dug their way out of a hole and into the big dance for the first time since 2021. With so much change to the roster, the only players who have tournament experience are Kedrian Johnson, Emmitt Matthews Jr. and Joe Toussaint. For Johnson and Matthews, this is their last chance of being in the dance, and for Erik Stevenson, this is his first and only trip.

Shortly after the bracket reveal, WVU basketball posted a short video of the players reacting to seeing their name called.

Heard our name 👋#HailWV pic.twitter.com/gVDPom8oaX

— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) March 13, 2023

Jimmy Bell Jr.

WE GOING DANCING BABY !!!🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾

— TUNK🖤 (@JimmyBellJr15) March 12, 2023

Emmitt Matthews Jr.

😈

— Emmitt Matthews Jr. (@THEDOOSKIE) March 12, 2023

Erik Stevenson

🕺🏼 in Birmingham

— Erik Stevenson (@ej_stevenson5) March 12, 2023

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