Bum Phillips, back when he was coaching in the NFL, once described Hall of Fame coach Don Shula this way:

"Don Shula can take his'n and beat your'n or he can take your'n and beat his'n."

The same now can be said about Bob Huggins.

The coach proved as much in his first year at Kansas State and did it again this year when doubters said he'd have a tough time winning with John Beilein's players as he returned to coach is alma mater.

Huggins, who had yet to sign his contract in mid-April but maintains he's going nowhere, did a masterful coaching job, blending Beilein's offense into his own, taking advantage of players recruited for a different system, and pounding his man-to-man defensive philosophies to WVU players.

The result was a trip to the Big East semifinals and a return to the NCAA Tournament, lasting until blowing a six-point lead in overtime to Xavier in the Sweet 16.

He also found a way to pull to the surface the raw talent that forward Joe Alexander had displayed but never could completely capture, turning him into one of the bright stars -- and not just in the Big East but in the NCAA. Or, perhaps even the NBA. Alexander is flirting with the NBA, though not hiring an agent, and will return if he learns he won't be a high draft pick. One projection had Alexander as the No. 18 prospect when he declared his intentions. That would bring a salary of nearly $1.5 million annually.

So where is West Virginia left if Alexander chooses to leave?

Once Huggins gets his recruits into West Virginia and blends them in with holdover players like guard Alex Ruoff, forward Da'Sean Butler, forward Wellington Smith and forward John Flowers, Huggins will have a force in the Big East.

Unless Alexander bolts, the biggest loss is point guard Darris Nichols, who played every game of his career and was an unsung hero for a Mountaineer team that played most mistake-free throughout his career. He will be replaced by Joe Mazzulla, who got a great deal of experience and showed he can handle the job.

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