Morgantown is buzzing. The Mountaineers just got deeper, and Darian DeVries finally has the roster flexibility he was promised when he took over in the Big 12 gauntlet. Brenen Lorient and Javan Buchanan are officially cleared and eligible, and West Virginia's rotation picture for 2026-27 looks nothing like the group that limped through stretches of non-conference play last season. This New WVU Hoops Depth Chart Projection with Brenen Lorient & Javan Buchanan Eligible breaks down how DeVries can deploy his newfound weapons - and why WVU fans should be circling March on the calendar right now.
Backcourt: Buchanan Changes Everything
Start where the games are won. Buchanan's eligibility is the single biggest domino in this projection. At 6-foot-6 with real wing size and a motor that never quits, he gives DeVries a switchable perimeter piece the Mountaineers simply didn't have a year ago. He defends the one through three, attacks closeouts, and knocks down the corner three. That's the exact profile that thrives in the Big 12's rock-fight style.
📊 Javan Buchanan's positional versatility (guard/wing) - allows DeVries to run bigger lineups without sacrificing shooting, a luxury WVU lacked in its last full rotation cycle.
The projected starting backcourt pairs Buchanan with a returning lead guard. The second unit is anchored by a veteran combo who can spell either spot. That's four legitimate bodies for two positions - depth that matters when February rolls around and legs start going. For fans tracking how DeVries manages minutes, the related coverage on WVU's rotation battles this fall is worth a close read, because the staff has been open about wanting to play fast and rotate aggressively.
Frontcourt: Lorient Adds Muscle and Mismatch Juice
Here's where the New WVU Hoops Depth Chart Projection with Brenen Lorient & Javan Buchanan Eligible gets spicy. Lorient brings a physical, athletic forward frame that lets West Virginia play small at the five without getting bullied on the glass. He runs the floor in transition and finishes above the rim - a perfect fit for DeVries's pace-and-space preferences.
Table: Projected WVU Frontcourt Rotation (2026-27)
| Role | Player Profile | Key Skill | Minutes Projection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting four | Stretch forward | Pick-and-pop shooting | 26-30 |
| Starting five | Lorient | Rim running, rebounding | 24-28 |
| First big off bench | Returning center | Post defense, screen setting | 18-22 |
| Situational small-ball five | Lorient/Buchanan | Switching, spacing | 8-12 |
📊 Lorient's ability to slot at both the four and five - creates lineup combinations that force opposing Big 12 bigs to guard in space, a matchup nightmare in March.
That small-ball five look - Lorient or Buchanan at center with four shooters around them - is the wrinkle DeVries has chased since he arrived. It's a closing-lineup weapon, not an every-possession identity. Having both players eligible means he can actually install it in practice instead of sketching it on a whiteboard.
The Big Picture: Why This Roster Finally Fits
Depth charts in October are projections, not promises. But this New WVU Hoops Depth Chart Projection with Brenen Lorient & Javan Buchanan Eligible reflects something real: DeVries now has options. Last season's roster forced him into lineups out of necessity. This one lets him pick matchups on purpose.
The Big 12 doesn't hand out favors. Houston, Kansas, Iowa State, and Baylor will all stress-test WVU's newfound depth. But the difference between a bubble team and a top-six conference finisher is often one reliable bench scorer and one switchable defender. Buchanan checks the first box. Lorient checks the second. Together, they raise the ceiling in a way that should have the Coliseum rocking from the season opener.
For the latest on eligibility rulings and roster movement, the university's official athletics site and national outlets like ESPN's college basketball hub and the NCAA's transfer eligibility resource page remain the fastest, most authoritative sources. WVU fans know better than most: in the transfer-portal era, October news can reshape a season. This time, it reshaped it for the better.
The Mountaineers aren't just deeper. They're finally built like a team that belongs in the conversation.
