WVU basketball coach Bob Huggins stuck up for his players and paid the price. The legendary leader would do that any day of the week.
Sick of his team receiving the short end of the stick from Big 12 basketball officials, Huggins received two technical fouls against Kansas and was ejected from Allen Fieldhouse as the WVU basketball team lost to the Jayhawks on Saturday.
The Mountaineers had a double-digit lead early in the second half but saw that diminish as they had trouble hitting field goals. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks were driving to the hoop and getting to the line. The officials also were playing into the hands of the home team and it was obvious with the 35-2 foul shot disparity.
The Mountaineers beat themselves in some cases, but the cards were stacked against them and that has been the case all season. On Saturday, Huggins went after officials during the game and in his postgame press conference. This isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last time it happens.
Even with this Big 12 reprimand, Huggins will still fight for what he feels is right. He wants to win and he wants what is best for his players. Huggins knows the game of basketball and his style of coaching translates so well to what he expects from his players on the court.
No official, or official word from the commissioner’s office, is going to change him. Respect is an issue at hand here and it’s unfortunate that the Big 12 wants to stand up for its referees before showing respect to one of its coaches. Even with the disadvantages, Huggins has made the WVU basketball team one of the premier teams in the Big 12 Conference.
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There is still a chance that the Mountaineers can win the conference title and take it away from Kansas. If that happens, and it definitely has the potential to do so, it would be Huggins’ ultimate response from this reprimand.