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<p class="photo_credit">Photo by: <span>Nick Henthorn</span></p>
<p id="caption">West Virginia University men’s basketball coach Ross Hodge speaks at the WVU Coaches Caravan’s stop in Wheeling on May 12 inside Oglebay’s Wilson Lodge.</p>
<p>MORGANTOWN — There was a time in college basketball when junior college coaches were often viewed as the overlooked companions.</p>
<p>While there's nothing wrong with that situation, these coaches frequently found themselves excluded from the bigger opportunities, particularly when it came to hiring new coaches.</p>
<p>WVU men’s coach Ross Hodge recalled this perception, noting, "They only have guys for a year or two—can they actually develop four-year players?" Division I programs have consistently recruited junior college talents, yet those in such roles often struggled for a chance at leadership positions.</p>
<p>Today, however, the landscape of college sports is markedly different. Every institution, whether part of a Power Five or not, seems to operate like a junior college due to the rapid turnover of players entering and exiting the transfer portal.</p>
<p>Hodge explained, "It’s now reversed, with high roster turnover expected annually. Coaches must swiftly mold a cohesive team." As the fourth head coach at WVU in as many years, Hodge navigates a constant reshaping of the Mountaineers’ roster.</p>
<p>From 2023 to 2025, WVU's men’s team had 39 scholarship players, with only nine retaining their spots from season to season. Currently, Hodge's roster includes eight transfers, three freshmen, and one returning player, making it essential for fans to keep track of the changing dynamics.</p>
<p>These players hail from diverse backgrounds, with experiences across all U.S. time zones, and many have already tasted success in their careers. Hodge emphasizes the importance of this winning mentality, stating, "They know what it takes, and we’re focusing on how we will achieve success together."</p>
<p>Having managed teams at the junior college level, Hodge is familiar with building teams from the ground up. His success rate was impressive, winning 85% of his games, including a national runner-up finish.</p>
<p>The key question remains: Can Hodge replicate that success at the Division I level with a newly constructed roster? His ongoing summer workouts are a crucial test for this theory.</p>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> WVU forward Jackson Fields announced he will require surgery, having played with a brace on his left wrist recently. His expected absence for this season remains unclear.</p>
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