MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia University men’s basketball team enters a critical juncture of the 2025-26 season tonight, February 24, 2026, as they travel to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State. With the regular season winding down, the Mountaineers (16-11, 7-7 Big 12) find themselves firmly on the NCAA Tournament bubble following a string of disappointing performances.
Under first-year head coach Ross Hodge, West Virginia has struggled with consistency in late February. The team is looking to snap a two-game skid after a 61-56 home loss to Utah and a 60-54 road defeat at TCU. These losses have significantly damaged the Mountaineers’ postseason resume, moving them from “Last Four In” projections to the “Work to Do” category in most bracketology outlooks.
Game Info: West Virginia at Oklahoma State
- Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM EST
- Location: Gallagher-Iba Arena, Stillwater, OK
- TV/Stream: Big 12 Now on ESPN+
- Radio: Mountaineer Sports Network
The “Bubble” Reality
National analysts, including ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, suggest that West Virginia’s path to the Big Dance is narrowing. The Mountaineers’ offensive struggles have been the primary culprit; the “disappointing scoring duo” of Honor Huff and Treysen Eaglestaff has faced scrutiny after failing to provide the consistent perimeter threat expected during the preseason. In the recent loss to TCU, West Virginia’s inability to win the battle in the paint and poor three-point shooting allowed the Horned Frogs to rally for a comeback victory.
Tonight’s matchup against Oklahoma State is viewed as a “must-win” to keep at-large hopes alive before the Big 12 Tournament. Assistant coach Phil Forte returns to his alma mater tonight, hoping to help the Mountaineers find the “magic” that led to several comeback wins earlier this season.
Mountaineer Women Continue to Shine
While the men’s team fights for its postseason life, the No. 19 West Virginia women’s basketball team (21-6) continues to dominate. The Mountaineers cruised past Oklahoma State 72-40 on Saturday, February 21, led by a prolific three-point shooting display. They remain a lock for the NCAA Tournament and are currently fighting for a high seed and the right to host opening-round games in Morgantown.
Historical Context
West Virginia holds a storied basketball tradition with 31 NCAA Tournament appearances and two Final Fours (1959, 2010). Throughout 117 seasons of play, the program has amassed 1,890 wins. However, the transition into the Ross Hodge era has proven difficult as the team adjusts to a roster full of new faces and the rigorous competition of the expanded Big 12 Conference.
Following tonight’s contest, the Mountaineers will return home for the final stretch of the regular season, where every possession will determine if the 2025-26 campaign ends in March Madness or a secondary tournament bid.