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Huggins, WVU basketball embrace NCAA Tournament unlike any other
West Virginia men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins will lead the Mountaineers to the program’s 30th NCAA tournament, Huggins’ 10th at the helm. Although experienced, even Huggins hasn’t dealt with March Madness quite like this. (Photo: Logan Hanson; Courtesy: WVU Athletics)

Huggins, WVU basketball embrace NCAA Tournament unlike any other

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (BVM) — West Virginia men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins has seen his fair share of NCAA Tournaments. By making this year’s field, Huggins clinched his 25th appearance in the Big Dance and his 10th leading the Mountaineers. Through all his years he’s seen it all, from leading teams to the Final Four like he did with the Mountaineers in 2010 to the heartbreak of losing to an underdog like the Mountaineers did to Stephen F. Austin in 2016. However, 2021 has produced a tournament unlike any other with teams kept in a March Madness bubble with limited physical contact to the outside world and stringent restrictions on what the teams can and cannot do. Despite these obstacles, Huggins is dealing with the situation as he would any tournament.

“It is what it is. I don’t know what else [the NCAA] would do,” Huggins said. “I think letting the teams get out and practice yesterday was a big step getting those guys back to normalcy.”

Although Huggins has had his fair share of March Madness experiences, his team has not. None of the current Mountaineers players have played in the NCAA Tournament after last year’s event was canceled due to the pandemic and the moment, although unique, is still an exciting one for the young roster.

“I’m just happy to be here,” sophomore guard Miles “Deuce” McBride said. “Obviously not being able to play in the tournament last year I think that hurt everyone being involved.”

While horror stories of other organization’s bubbles have become commonplace in the sporting world, West Virginia feels the NCAA is doing as well as they can given the circumstances. The team is just focused on keeping themselves as safe as possible in order to ensure the longest stay in Indianapolis as they can.

“The people here are doing a really great job,” McBride said. “I’m sure it’s tough to get 68 times probably a traveling party of 30 taken care of [and] taking care of the facilities. I’m just happy to be here. They’re doing a really great job.”

“I think [the facilities have] been fine,” Huggins said. “I think the hardest was yesterday when you had to stay in your own room and you couldn’t fraternize with any of your teammates. … now that they’re allowed to be around each other a little bit more it’s been fine. … There are going to be some positives when you put this many people together I would assume, but they’re trying the best they possibly can.”

Though the favorites in their matchup against No. 14 seed Morehead State, the Mountaineers know that the Eagles are there for a reason. While much of the attention goes to the Eagles star freshman forward Johni Broome and rightfully so, the Mountaineers feel that the whole team can shoot with the best of them, setting up a difficult game for any opponent.

“First impression is they can definitely shoot the ball,” McBride said. “They have a couple guys that really can shoot it, catch and shoot really well. They have a great big that really takes his time [and] is patient in the post. I think they play really well together [and] share the ball really well.”

Containing Broome will likely be the Mountaineers biggest task. The Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year has been a force for the Eagles throughout the year, scoring 13.9 points while grabbing nine rebounds a game. Huggins feels that his forward, AP All-American Honorable Mention junior Derek Culver, should be able to hold his own against the younger Broome though knows the freshman is special.

“We’ve got hopefully an advantage with Derek against a guy who is very, very talented, but who is a freshman,” Huggins said. “[Broome] reminds me of Chris Bosh. He has that push shot that he gets away very quickly. He shares the ball in the post which is important so he doesn’t get gang guarded too much because he is such a good passer.  You hope that Derek’s experience and Derek’s physicality bodes well for Derek and for us.”

Mountaineers sophomore guard Miles McBride and his teammates have never been to the NCAA Tournament making the moment, though unique, a special one for all involved. (Photo: Logan Hanson; Courtesy: WVU Athletics)

Regardless of how difficult or long the journey may be, the players and coaches are making sure to soak in the moment. It may not be exactly the way they had foreseen the tournament a year ago or even a few months ago, but they are happy with the opportunity to be there nonetheless because at the end of the day it is still March Madness.

“Growing up it’s been one of my biggest dreams playing in March Madness, obviously it’s a little different this year, but nonetheless I’m so happy to be here,” McBride said. “It’s exciting being here.”

For Huggins, the tournament may be a common thing in his career, but that does not mean he’s taking it for granted. Although he has seen many things before, Huggins will make sure to take some time to enjoy the situation going on around him.

“I’ve kind of decided in my old age I’m going to try to enjoy this as much as I possibly can,” Huggins said. “I love being around our guys. I love being around our staff so I don’t really need a whole lot more.”