West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh have agreed to a four-game series in men’s basketball, Director of Athletics Shane Lyons announced today.

 

The series will begin in Pittsburgh during the 2017-18 season before returning to Morgantown during the 2018-19 season. Pitt will be the home team in 2019-20, while WVU will play host to the final game of the four-game series in 2020-21.

 

“One of my first goals as athletic director was to reach out to (Pitt Director of Athletics) Scott Barnes about renewing the football and basketball series with Pitt because I knew it would be good for both schools,” Lyons said. “I want to thank Scott and coach (Kevin) Stallings as well as coach (Bob) Huggins and his staff for their efforts in getting the basketball series renewed. The fans are the real winners because whether the game is in the WVU Coliseum or the Petersen Events Center, it will be great for college basketball.”

 

The last Backyard Brawl was played on Feb. 16, 2012, a 66-48 WVU win at Pitt. Next season, the two teams will meet for the 185^th time in school history with WVU leading the all-time series 96-88.

 

“I think this is great not only for both schools but for college basketball,” coach Bob Huggins said. “This has been such a great rivalry, and it is a game that fans of both schools look forward to. I have great respect for Kevin Stallings, and I have followed his teams throughout the years. Pitt has been our biggest rival since I can remember and we have been theirs. The game makes sense.”

 

Specific game dates for each game in the series will be determined prior to each season.