Mar 2, 2013; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Kevin Young (40) dunks the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas defeated West Virginia 91-65. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

With the conclusion of last night’s embarassing loss at the hands of the #6 Kansas Jayhawks, the West Virginia Mountaineers record dropped to 13-16 (6-10 in Big XII). The loss ensures the Mountaineers of a losing season for the first time since the season.

It has certainly been a rough inaugural Big XII season for West Virginia. Conference play has been a roller coaster ride of spirit lifting victories and soul crushing losses. Last night’s 91-65 loss was one of those soul crushing losses, putting all hopes of preventing a losing season out of reach.

The Mountaineers, picked in the preseason to finish 6th in the Big XII, are currently sitting 7th in the standings and look to finish there. Coach Huggins thought that this team was going to exceed the preseason expectations:

“It must be one helluva league if we’re picked to finish sixth.” -Bob Huggins

Now, coach Huggins is just hoping to live up to those expectations.

The Mountaineers aspired to be greater than their preseason expectations behind the play of a trio of talented transfer players. Murray and Staten have lived up to expectations, but Matt Humphrey has all but disappeared as of late, failing to live up to his full potential this season.

On the bright side, this season has provided a wealth of experience for the young Mountaineers roster. Freshmen guards Eron Harris and Terry Henderson were tested often this season and proved themselves worthy of starting. Both guards appear poised to become stars for the Mountaineers for years to come.

While the inaugural Big XII season is one that Mountaineers fans are hoping to forget, the season looks bright in Morgantown.

Feb 18, 2013; Manhattan, KS, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins yells at guard Eron Harris (10) after Harris fouled out during a 71-61 loss to the Kansas State Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Inevitably, every freshman goes through a tough learning experience during their first season on campus. Promising Mountaineers guard Eron Harris learned his lesson in front of the national media against Kansas State last night.

Harris, normally a very well-disciplined player, had difficulty remaining on the court last night. He got caught up in some questionable fouls, resulting in coach Huggins pulling Eron from the court for long stretches of the game.

As Huggins noted, the poor discipline on Harris’ part showed his inexperience:

“Eron Harris was totally out of the game,” said Huggins. “That was the first time that he got into foul trouble and sat, and he played like a freshman.”

Eron was visibly frustrated on the bench, showing a lot of emotion. That emotion would get the best of him midway through the second half as he took an ill-advised (alright, bone-headed) technical foul. With that technical foul, Harris fouled out of his first game in his college basketball career.

I don’t show emotions often but when it comes to competition and my brother’s, they come out. That game was definitely a learning experience

— Eron Harris (@eronharris10) February 19, 2013

It is hard to blame the guy for having an off night, after all, he is just a freshman. Further more, you have to love the emotion that he showed on the bench. Harris plays the game with a ton of passion and shows that he truly cares about this team.

Eron Harris is allowed to go through growing pains, no matter how few and far between. With time, he will mature and develop better discipline to avoid taking these unnecessary technical fouls. Although, let’s hope that he never loses the kind of passion he exhibited last night.

The Charleston Gazette is reporting West Virginia coach basketball coach Bob Huggins has landed a commitment from 6-foot-3 guard Eron Harris of Lawrence North (Ind.) High. Lawrence North is a 4-A Indiana division school. Harris visited WVU this weekend and gave his word to Huggins and assistant Larry Harrison.

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