WVU basketball: Bob Huggins’ words rock NCAA hoops world
WVU basketball coach Bob Huggins always knows what to say, even when he is at a loss for words.
On Saturday against Kansas, his actions may have actually spoken louder than his words. In the waning minutes of the second half, Huggins was ejected from the game as his frustrations had finally boiled over. He had simply had enough of the referees.
It may actually be a good guess that Huggins could be ejected from any game he coaches. He is always scowling and yelling at the officials. He pushes the edge each time he gets up from his stool on the sideline.
Huggins knows the game of basketball better than anyone else currently involved in the game. He has developed and adapted his tendencies to any situation and knows what it takes to win. He has revolutionized the WVU basketball program in the 10 years he has been at the helm.
For being around the game as long as he has, Huggins doesn’t get the respect he deserves from officials. Huggins makes his players go after it harder than almost any other team in the country. With that aggressive style comes fouls and other infractions. Huggins knows that is coming against the Mountaineers. What he expects in return is a fair game called by the officials.
When the opposition is taking 35 foul shots, Huggins expects his team to shoot more than just two. It’s not just because he’s Bob Huggins, it’s because he wants his team to at least have a chance to win the game.
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In his postgame press conference, Huggins suggested that the referees should be the ones who have to sit at a desk and answer questions into a microphone. He has questions for them, obviously, and so do fans and the media members covering the game. But the officials don’t really have to stand up for themselves like Huggins does after a game.
"“I’ve been doing this 40 years. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a game where we shot two free throws. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a game where the disparity was 35-2. I’ve never been in a game like that.”"
The WVU basketball team has lost eight games this season and in all but one of those contests, it has held a sizable lead of at least seven points. The way the Mountaineers blow games is becoming an alarming trend. Actually, it already is something to be concerned with within the program.
However, it doesn’t help the Mountaineers when the cards are stacked against them before the game even begins. Referees know what to expect from the WVU basketball team and that hurts the players and coaches right off the bat. The bias negatively affects Huggins when it should be helping him at this point of his career.
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It’s funny that whenever Huggins says something noteworthy, every national media outlet will take notice. But the referees and Big 12 league officials don’t care to fix what is clearly broke. The WVU basketball team needs a chance to play its game and Huggins will continue to fight to make that happen.