West Virginia looks to make it four in a row against Pitt

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — As a player and coach, Bob Huggins will embark on his 24th all-time meeting against Pitt, when the Panthers host West Virginia at 7 p.m. Friday, at the Petersen Events Center.

He joked there is a distinct difference between coaching in what was once a fierce rivalry between the two schools located just 77 miles apart and playing in it.

“Helplessness,” Huggins said. “I still think I could make some of those passes.”

With a win, the Mountaineers (1-0) would own a four-game winning streak against the Panthers — which dates back to 2012 when both schools were members of the Big East — something that WVU hasn’t been able to say since Huggins was a senior in 1977.

“We’re just worried about getting one,” Huggins said. “I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to that stuff. We need to play well against a Power Five school and get a win under our belt.”

Huggins was quick to note that this series is not what it once was. The last time WVU traveled to the Petersen Events Center, in 2017, the arena was filled mostly with WVU fans and the once-fearsome Oakland Zoo student section was bare and unenthusiastic at best.

Doesn’t mean it has to remain that way.

“If it continues, it’s going to go back to being the rivalry that it once was,” Huggins said. “I think that will be fun for both fan bases.”

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Bob Huggins against Pitt

AS A PLAYER: In eight games against the Panthers, the Mountaineers finished 6-2 and Huggins started all eight games. He shot 45% (33 of 73) from the field and averaged 10.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. As a junior and senior in 1976 and 1977, WVU won four straight against the Panthers, the last Mountaineers team to claim that achievement.
AS A COACH: Is currently 6-7 against Pitt as the Mountaineers’ head coach. He was also 0-2 against the Panthers while at Akron. WVU owns a three-game winning streak against Pitt and could make it four in a row on Friday.

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Whether or not it happens, Huggins said, was a matter for WVU athletic director Shane Lyons and Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke.

“That’s above me. That’s Shane’s deal,” Huggins said. “Because it’s not just a basketball game, it’s two athletic departments. You’re talking about what are we going to do with football? What do you do with women’s basketball, soccer, the whole gamut? That’s Shane’s deal, not mine.”

Today’s game marks the third of a four-game series that was signed back in September 2016. The final game is scheduled for Dec. 12, 2020, at the WVU Coliseum.

As for a scouting report on the Panthers (2-1), they are coming off a 71-57 victory at Robert Morris, which was Pitt’s first true road win since Feb. 8, 2017. Sophomore guard Trey McGowens finished with 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists against the Colonials.

The Mountaineers are familiar with him after he and teammate Xavier Johnson combined for 39 points in WVU’s 69-59 victory last season.

“McGowen played terrific in the second half against Robert Morris,” Huggins said. “He did everything. He rebounded it and drove the ball to the basket. He was really good. He had 25 (points) and eight (rebounds), that’s a pretty good day.”

The two guards are joined this season by junior-college transfer Ryan Murphy, who leads Pitt in scoring at 15.0 points per game and he’s shooting 9 of 19 (47.4%) from 3-point range.

“Johnson had seven assists (against Robert Morris), so he’s penetrating and pitching it,” Huggins said. “They really do look to pitch it to Murphy. He’s widened things out for them so that McGowens and Johnson can get it at the basket. They can spread you a little bit more.”

Huggins said he hasn’t done anything special to prepare his players for whatever atmosphere awaits them in Pittsburgh.

As for WVU players, they’re looking forward more to the opportunity at picking up a key road win than worrying about the rivalry.

“I just know both teams are going to play hard,” WVU guard Jermaine Haley said. “It’s a good opportunity to find out more about ourselves and where we stand as a team.”

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