WVU notebook: Injunctions, jersey patches, eligibility headline day for Mountaineers

The NCAA instituted a rule to take effect this school year granting athletes five years to complete five seasons of competition.

U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued a ruling last week allowing athletes who graduated high school in 2022 into that group. The NCAA has indicated intent to fight it in court.

Lorient and Buchanan filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.

Lorient, a North Texas transfer, finished second on the Mountaineers in scoring last season, averaging 11.9 points per game. He started all 34 games in which he played.

He shot 54% from the floor and 36% from 3-point range. Lorient also grabbed an average of 5.2 rebounds.

Lorient started his college basketball career at Florida Atlantic in 2022, where he played in 52 games with the Owls.

He then transferred to North Texas, playing 36 games in his lone season there. He followed coach Ross Hodge to WVU, alongside guard Jasper Floyd.

Buchanan's college basketball journey dates back to his NAIA days at Indiana Wesleyan, which is part of him filing a waiver with the NCAA seeking eligibility. But that waiver was denied on April 24.

He then appealed the denial in June, which also resulted in it being denied.

“There has been a precedent set, and it has been fairly consistent on certain cases,� Hodge said during a news conference last week. "It feels like they’ve been more lenient if you’re in that true fifth-year window and you’re not trying to get that sixth or seventh. You feel like you like your chances if you’re in that situation and you’re just trying to get what was given to previous classes or future classes.�

Buchanan transferred to West Virginia from Boise State, where he played two seasons.

He started 31 games last season for the Broncos, averaging 12.6 points and five rebounds per game. He shot 42% from the floor and 84% from the free throw line.

Devon Stewart, James A. Gianola, David M. Jecklin and Bradford J. Deitzler from Lewis Gianola LLC are representing Lorient and Buchanan.

Contacted on Saturday for comment about Sweeney's ruling, WVU spokesman Mike Montoro said athletic director Wren Baker had none.

Jordan Scruggs back?

WVU football cornerback Jordan Scruggs, looking to take advantage of the same situation, announced on his Instagram page, "I'm Back." 

Scruggs played in 12 games last season, finishing with 32 tackles, two pass breakups and one interception.

He filed for an injunction against the NCAA in Monongalia County on Saturday.

Jersey patch sponsor

WVU, in conjunction with Learfield's Mountaineer Sports Properties, is partnering with Antero Resources to be the jersey patch sponsor for all 18 sports at WVU.

Antero Resources is the state's largest natural gas producer. The five-year deal will place the Antero Resources logo on all Mountaineer uniforms.

“This is an historic day for West Virginia athletics, and I am grateful that Antero is part of the Mountaineer family,� Baker said in a statement. “More than 500 Mountaineer student-athletes proudly wear the West Virginia jersey, competing and representing the university and the state in front of millions each week on the national stage. Now, Antero shares that jersey with us and will play a key role in our future success.

“As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, WVU plays a vital and dynamic role in the overall economic success, growth and well-being of the state. Antero has been a partner of ours that cares, as it supplies energy on a daily basis to improve health, safety and the livelihood of millions. The Mountaineers look forward to being a part of this special bond with Antero.�

The Antero Resources logo will make its debut on a WVU uniform on Aug. 13 when the women's soccer Mountaineers take on Dayton.