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Initial Thoughts on West Virginia's Massive Upset of No. 2 Iowa State

Originally posted on West Virginia Mountaineers on SI
By Schuyler Callihan | Last updated Jan 18, 2025 7:04 PM ET

West Virginia pulled off another upset on Saturday evening, taking down No. 2 Iowa State, 63-57.

Here are a few of my takeaways from tonight's game.

What a day for the West family

First and foremost, we can't talk about the game before we discuss the celebration of Mountaineer legend Jerry West. The Coliseum was packed, and many of the fans found their way over to the team shop to purchase some Jerry West gear that they had available. WVU did a tremendous job of honoring his career and life with a number of video tributes throughout the day. A job well done by the athletics department.

Airtight defense is becoming the DNA

West Virginia's calling card is going to be on the defensive end of the floor, especially this year, which is no surprise given the limited options to score it. But strong defense alone can take you a long way, as evident in several of WVU's unexpected wins this season. Playing with that edge will always give the Mountaineers a chance, regardless of who they are facing.

Javon Small is an NBA draft pick

Iowa State made life hard on Small, particularly in the first half, but he continued to scrap and fight his way to the ball and made several tough shots in the final twenty minutes. What he has done this season is unbelievable. He's carried this team so much offensively and needs to be in the national player of the year discussion. At the very least, he's earned his way into being a 2025 NBA Draft pick.