MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia center Brandon Watkins, who flashed two middle fingers toward Texas Tech players before a shoving match erupted in Saturday’s game, has issued an apology through the school’s sports information department.
“I would like to apologize to Coach (Tubby) Smith and the Texas Tech basketball team for my obscene gesture in Saturday’s game. That gesture does not reflect how I was raised. I realize that I embarrassed my family, my team, Mountaineer Nation and Texas Tech basketball. I’m sorry for my actions.”
The double-bird gesture—captured by TV cameras but apparently overlooked by officials who checked the courtside monitors—followed Watkins fouling Texas Tech guard Robert Turner to prevent a breakaway layup. Red Raiders center Norense Odiase, who shoved West Virginia players as he yelled at Watkins, was assessed a flagrant two foul and ejected.
Watkins was not penalized beyond the live-game foul on Turner.