Twas the Tuesday before Christmas and WVU basketball coach Bob Huggins wasn't in his house.
He wasn't in a warm, glowing cabin, sitting with his spouse.
Nor was he in the woods somewhere, hunting a covey of grouse.
"I'm recruiting," he said. "On my way to Ohio."
Would you expect anything else?
Huggins and his team technically have four days off for the holiday. Yet the coach is out shaking the pines for players. He has three signed for next season with South Charleston's Brandon Knapper in the fold for 2017. There will also be four other openings with Devin Williams, Brandon Watkins, Tarik Phillip, Teyvon Myers and Nate Adrian currently juniors.
"We're looking for a little bit of everything," Huggins said of the class.
Anyway, the coach said he'll recruit, spend some time with his family and "hopefully, sit at home for a day."
Ah, the Christmas wish of a coach. Yet I also asked what he'd like for his team if given a wish. The question surfaced after reading a Sports Illustrated piece by noted analyst Seth Davis.
The feature was intriguing in that Davis called himself the "Jigsaw Man" and found "missing pieces for almost-contenders" within college basketball.
"It may seem like the Jigsaw Man is cold and calculating," Davis wrote, "what with the way he moves these pieces around, but he actually is quite the softie. So his heart melted when he saw Bob Huggins yank poor Jevon Carter for attempting an ill-advised be-
hind-the-back pass in the second half of the Mountaineers' loss to Virginia in New York City on Dec. 8.
"Still, the Jigsaw Man had to admit ole Huggy Bear had a point. West Virginia loves to create pace with its fullcourt defense, but too often the Mountaineers fail to be quick without hurrying."
He went on to say WVU is "sloppy with the ball" and tends to be "heedless with [its] traps."
"They need a steadying hand to perform the same function the rug did in 'The Big Lebowski' - that is, someone who will tie the room together. It would also help if this Dude could knock down a few long-range buckets."
He called the missing piece Pittsburgh senior guard James Robinson.
Would Huggins want Robinson for Christmas?
"That's why Seth has never coached," Huggins said. "I know James Robinson. He's a great kid. But no one in their right mind would take him over Jevon Carter."
There was other grumbling, although I'll spare Davis. Yet here's the deal: WVU is having a terrific season so far. Not only are the Mountaineers 10-1 and ranked, but the statistics paint a pretty picture.
In the latest NCAA statistics, WVU was No. 1 in steals per game (then 12.1, now 12.0), offensive rebounding (then 18.4, now 18.6) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (then 22.4, now 24.4). That's among 346 teams.
The Mountaineers were No. 13 in scoring offense (then 85.9, now 85.7) and No. 14 in scoring defense (then 59.9, now 59.8).
In turnovers per game, though, West Virginia was No. 265 (then 14.4 a game, now 14). It was No. 289 in 3-point field goal percentage (then 30.5, now 31.8).
Carter, a shooting guard learning to be a point guard, is averaging 12.5 points (34.6 percent from 3-point range) and has 33 assists and 14 turnovers. That's an average of three assists a game, which isn't great. Huggins, however, will stick with "J.C." at the point.
"That's the plan," said the coach. "Juwan Staten was pretty damn good. But he struggled a bunch as a sophomore. Of course, he had a great junior season. In his senior year, he was good, although he struggled with some injuries.
"J.C. Didn't start a game a year ago. But you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone better a year from now."
It's an interesting take, especially after the aforementioned benching against Virginia.
"I'll bet J.C. doesn't throw another behind-the-back pass the rest of his career here," Huggins said. "But he handled it well. He knew he screwed up. He's great kid. I wish he could make a layup, but he's a great kid."
It'll be fun to watch the point guard position from here on. Reserve Phillip actually has more assists (39) than Carter, but also a few more turnovers (17). Then there's James "Beetle" Bolden. He's a true freshman initially projected to redshirt before making waves in preseason camp. Bolden then tore his ACL and sprained the MCL in his right knee.
"We're trying to get him healed up," Huggins said. "I'm told he's a couple weeks ahead of schedule in his rehab, but I don't know."
He said Bolden will not play this season. ("Too late," said the coach.)
WVU, by the way, next plays at Virginia Tech on Dec. 30, next Wednesday, in Blacksburg. The Hokies are 8-4 but haven't played the toughest of schedules. When Tech played No. 11 Iowa State, it lost 99-77. On Tuesday, it lost to St, Joseph's 79-62 in Brooklyn.
Of course, one could point to many cupcakes on WVU's early schedule, too. Before Tuesday's games, Mountaineer opponents were a combined 63-61. If you subtracted Virginia's 9-1 mark, though, the record dropped to 54-60.
Yet don't stop there. Look closely WVU's opponents and their games played. You'll see WVU has fared well comparatively.
The Mountaineers, for instance, defeated Northern Kentucky 107-61. NKU then lost to Xavier by 78-66 and to Michigan 77-62. WVU just defeated Eastern Kentucky by 84-59. Kentucky defeated the Colonels by 88-67.
Poor Kennesaw State of coach Al Skinner played WVU, Alabama, LSU, Arizona State and Louisville. The Mountaineers won by 33, while the Crimson Tide won by 13, the Tigers by 22, the Sun Devils by 38 and the Cardinals by 37.
In sum, it's been a fine start to the season by the Mountaineers - even though Huggins still has concerns.
"Our pressure has to get better," he said. "We've haven't been near as good this season. Our half-court defense has to get better. Our half-court offense has to get better."
And soon the real grind - the Big 12 season - begins. Yet give the team credit for what it's accomplished. While teams like San Diego State (losses to Little Rock, Grand Canyon and San Diego) have stumbled early, the Mountaineers have won 10 of 11.
Huggins has his Christmas gift. Well, with one exception.
"If I can get home and get in a chair," he said, "it'll be a great Christmas."
Here's hoping his wish comes true.
And for you as well. Merry Christmas all.