Ross Hodge Discusses “Awesome Experience” with Best Virginia After Advancing to TBT Semifinals

Ross Hodge Discusses “Awesome Experience” with Best Virginia After Advancing to TBT Semifinals

 

July 31, 2025 – Charleston, WV — Following Best Virginia’s hard-fought victory in the quarterfinal round of The Basketball Tournament (TBT), assistant coach Ross Hodge spoke candidly about the team’s journey, the intensity of the competition, and the personal fulfillment he’s found working alongside former West Virginia University (WVU) stars.

Best Virginia, a team composed primarily of WVU alumni, punched their ticket to the TBT semifinals with a gritty 78-74 win over a determined Red Scare squad Tuesday night. With the win, they now advance to the final four in Philadelphia, just two wins away from the tournament’s $1 million prize.

Ross Hodge, known more widely for his current role as the head coach of North Texas men’s basketball, joined Best Virginia’s bench this summer as a guest assistant, and the experience has left a lasting impact.

“This has just been an awesome experience,” Hodge said postgame. “To be part of a team like this—guys who all share the same DNA, who love their school, and who still play at a high level—is something you don’t get to see every day.”

While TBT is often lauded for its high-stakes, single-elimination format, Hodge emphasized the deeper significance of being part of a team rooted in pride and tradition.

“These guys have played in Final Fours, Sweet 16s, they’ve gone through the Big East wars, and now they come together not for a contract or a paycheck, but for each other, for West Virginia,” Hodge said. “It’s refreshing, and honestly, it makes you fall in love with coaching all over again.”

Best Virginia was led once again by standout performances from Juwan Staten and Kevin Jones, both of whom made clutch plays down the stretch. Hodge praised the team’s leadership and chemistry, especially in tense late-game moments.

“Everybody here knows their role. The maturity and trust within the group is what’s getting us through the close ones,” he noted.

The semifinal berth marks the furthest advancement for Best Virginia in their TBT history. Having fallen in the regional rounds in previous years, the breakthrough has energized the WVU faithful and brought national attention to the program’s alumni base.

Hodge, who was invited to join the coaching staff by longtime friend and Best Virginia head coach James Long, said the opportunity came at the perfect time during his offseason.

“Being around this kind of culture—these guys play hard, play for the name on the front, and they care about West Virginia—it’s contagious,” Hodge said. “This has reminded me why we do this.”

With the semifinals looming, Best Virginia will now prepare to face Team Heartfire, a perennial contender known for its size and discipline. But for Hodge and the team, the moment is about more than just the next game.

“This whole run has been special. And we’re not done yet,” Hodge said with a smile.