Big 12 Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2024-25 season

14. West Virginia Mountainers

2023-24 season record: 9-23 (4-14 Big 12)

From this time a year ago, West Virginia couldn’t stop being in the headlines. From losing Coach Bob Huggins to multiple infractions and having several players missing games due to injuries/suspensions/eligibility issues, they were simply doomed. It’s been a complete program overhaul, with new head coach, Darian DeVries.

Just about the entire roster is gone but that was expected since most were seniors. The one transfer to note was Kerr Kriisa, the team’s starting point guard. Coach DeVries was able to add a big talent in his son and Drake transfer Tucker DeVries, the 2-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. He led Drake with 21.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, and 3.7 apg, shooting over 36% from three-point range.

There are three other transfers to the roster to this point. Toby Okani. The 6’7 combo forward averaged 11.1 ppg and 6.8 rpg at Illinois-Chicago and earned all-defense honors in the MVC. And Sencire Harris and Amani Hansberry are two bench players coming over from Illinois, along with new assistant to the staff, Chester Frazier. 

This is clearly a rebuilding job for the Mountaineers but if nothing else, it’s been quiet and drama-free so far this offseason. Compared to a year ago, that alone is a win for the program.