MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (ESPN) — Monday, January 12, 2026
In a weekend defined by improbable victories for the Mountaineers, the unranked West Virginia University men’s basketball team delivered a stunning 86-75 upset over the 22nd-ranked Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday at the WVU Coliseum.
The Mountaineers, fueled by a raucous home crowd, controlled the game from the opening tip, frustrating the heavily favored Jayhawks with suffocating defense and efficient offensive execution. Senior guard Erik Stevenson led the charge for West Virginia with a game-high 28 points, including five three-pointers that ignited key runs throughout the second half. Kansas struggled to find their rhythm, committing 16 turnovers and shooting just 41% from the field.
“Nobody outside of this locker room believed we could win this game, but we knew what we were capable of,” said West Virginia head coach Darian DeVries in his post-game press conference. “Our guys played with incredible heart and discipline today. This is a signature win for our program and a building block for the rest of the season.”
The upset was part of a remarkable 24 hours for West Virginia athletics. Just one day later, the WVU women’s basketball team pulled off an equally impressive feat, defeating 11th-ranked Iowa State 83-70 on the road. According to university officials, it marked only the second time in school history that both the men’s and women’s basketball programs defeated ranked opponents by double digits on the same weekend.
The loss drops Kansas out of the top 20 in the latest AP poll, while West Virginia’s statement victory is expected to earn them votes for the first time this season.
