West Virginia University’s athletic department is buzzing with excitement, thanks to some promising developments in basketball and baseball.
Basketball Recruiting Update
In-state four-star recruit Braydon Hawthorne is set to make his college decision tonight at 7 P.M. EST. Ranked 33rd-best prospect nationally in the Class of 2025 by 247Sports, Hawthorne initially committed to WVU when Darian DeVries was the head coach but reopened his recruitment after DeVries’ departure. Rumors suggest the Mountaineers have made a significant NIL push to land the rising star. Hawthorne’s skills and talent would be a valuable addition to the WVU basketball team ¹.
Big 12 Baseball Tournament Preview
The West Virginia Mountaineers baseball team has secured the No. 1 seed in the Big 12 Tournament, which will take place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The tournament features a new 12-team, single-elimination format, and WVU will face the winner of the Texas Tech vs. Cincinnati game in the quarterfinals. The Mountaineers have had a disappointing end to the regular season, losing four consecutive games, but their strong performance throughout the season earned them the top seed.
*Tournament Schedule:*
– *Wednesday, May 21*: First-round games
– *Thursday, May 22*: Quarterfinals, WVU plays at 12:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
– *Friday, May 23*: Semifinals
– *Saturday, May 24*: Championship Game (6 p.m., ESPN2 & ESPN+)
WVU’s Chances in the Tournament
Despite securing the top seed, WVU has struggled at Globe Life Field in recent years, going 0-6 over the last three years. However, with a first-round bye and a potential favorable matchup, the Mountaineers have a good chance to advance in the tournament ².
Future Conference Tournaments
The Big 12 has announced that the tournament will move to Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona, starting in 2026. This new venue is expected to bring excitement to the tournament, with USA Today recently ranking it the top spring training venue in baseball ¹.