West Virginia Women Selected Fourth in Big 12 Poll

Big 12 coaches ranked the Mountaineers fourth ahead of the upcoming basketball season.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Basketball

West Virginia Women Selected Fourth in Big 12 Poll

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The Big 12 Conference has selected the West Virginia Mountaineers to finish fourth in the preseason coaches poll. The team finished last season with a 28-7 record, including a 14-4 mark in conference play.

Why it matters

The ranking reflects high expectations for the Mountaineers following their successful previous campaign. It also highlights the recognition of key personnel as the program looks to remain competitive among conference leaders like Oklahoma State, TCU, and Baylor.

West Virginia finished last season with a 28-7 record, including a 14-4 performance in conference games. Senior guard Gia Cooke, who averaged 15 points per game and recorded 525 total points last year, leads the roster.

The players

Gia Cooke

She is a senior guard for the West Virginia Mountaineers and the first player in school history to earn a Preseason All-Big 12 selection.

Audi Crooks

She was named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year by the conference.

The details

Coaches voted on the rankings while being prohibited from voting for their own teams. Gia Cooke became the first player in West Virginia history to earn a spot on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team.

Last season, the team finished with a 28-7 record.
Big 12 Basketball Media Days take place Oct. 20-21, 2026, at the T-Mobile Center.

Season Trajectory

The conference's selection of the Mountaineers as a top-four team positions the program as a contender in the expanded Big 12 landscape. This ranking sets expectations for West Virginia as it aims to build upon its strong previous conference record.

Gia Cooke’s selection as a preseason all-conference pick signals her role as the primary offensive engine for the Mountaineers. Her production of 59 three-pointers and 54 assists last season indicates she will remain the focal point for opponents on the scouting report.

The takeaway

The Mountaineers are entering the season with significant momentum and individual recognition for their veteran leadership. Fans should monitor how the team adapts to higher expectations compared to previous years.

What happens next

The Big 12 Basketball Media Days are scheduled to take place from Oct. 20-21, 2026, at the T-Mobile Center, where coaches and players will discuss the upcoming season.