FORT WORTH, Texas — Bob Huggins changed outfits at halftime and his West Virginia team promptly undressed TCU.
The Mountaineers, thanks to their fullcourt pressure generating mayhem, erased a seven-point deficit with a 16-5 run early in the second half and handed TCU its first loss of the season, 78-67.
After sporting a three-piece suit during recent games, Huggins emerged for the second half wearing his trusty pullover. The casual look coincided with West Virginia rallying for a crucial victory, one accomplished without top-scoring point guard Juwan Staten, who came down with flu-like symptoms Saturday morning.
“I can’t put in words how much more comfortable I am,” Huggins said of his attire. “I’m not a banker—I’m a ballcoach. I was sweating. I was soaking wet.”
And West Virginia (13-1, 1-0 Big 12) continues to make opposing ball-handlers sweat. TCU (13-1, 0-1) committed 11 of its 18 turnovers during the second half, a stretch during which WVU also enjoyed a 20-13 rebounding edge.
It was an abrupt turnaround from the first half, when the Mountaineers committed 17 fouls and shot only six free throws to TCU’s 21. Through it all, WVU went to the locker room trailing only 32-30.
“Sometimes I sit here after a game and I think ‘How did we win?'” joked Huggins. “We missed eight layups the first half, got destroyed on the glass and didn’t take very good care of the ball. I don’t know how we stayed in it.”