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(Bob Huggins In-Game Zoom Lecture)
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – 257 days have passed since college basketball closed in the middle of the conference tournament week. For the first time since beating No.4 Baylor at Senior Day at Morgantown on March 7, Bob Huggins will lead his climbers onto the court tomorrow night. West Virginia’s No.15 to face South Dakota State in the quarterfinals of the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic in Sioux Falls, SD
“Our guys, I think, have been as good as you can be. They are excited and we can’t wait to play. It has been a long time. We were sitting in Kansas City getting ready to play in the conference tournament when we got the message that no one was playing. It’s been a long time, ”said WVU head coach Bob Huggins.
“You can’t ask a bunch of guys to do a better job than they did in terms of following guidelines.”
The tournament, which underwent a number of roster changes, required teams to undergo COVID testing upon arrival.
“That’s exactly what we were told it would be. We are in a bubble. Our guys have been tested and as expected did a great job taking care of themselves. The facilities here are amazing. The people here are great. It has been a very good experience so far. I think the only thing that would spoil it is that we don’t win games like we’re supposed to.
Originally slated to open against No.25 Texas A&M, the Mountaineers will face SDSU, after initially announcing they would open with northern Iowa late last week. Huggins believes that preparing to face multiple styles of play will pay off right down the line.
“I think we can keep anyone now. We’ve gone through four teams now that we’ve watched on film and broken down on film with our guys and actually kept them in practice. I think in some ways it was good for our guys.
“It was, OK, we’re going to play Texas A&M. And their attitude never really changed. Whatever we threw there, they easily accepted it and really worked hard.
The Jackrabbits (22-10 last season) are the favorites to win the Summits League this winter with 6-foot-7 senior forward Douglas Wilson leading as the conference preseason player of the year.
“They do a great job of spacing and executing their attack. They have several guys who can take pictures. They’re a really tough team to keep as they space the floor so well and they have so many guys who, if you leave open, will be taking shots.
Mountaineers will take on the VCU or the State of Utah on Thanksgiving Day. If the Mountaineers beat the SDSU, the semi-final will be played at 2:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
“It’s no different from a conference tournament situation. Most of our guys did it a year ago in Cancun where things have changed. We’ll be fine no matter who it is.
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