West Virginia men’s basketball isn’t building a plan around Honor Huff just yet, and Ross Hodge made that clear on Wednesday.
Huff, a former WVU guard, filed a complaint against the NCAA earlier this month in hopes of gaining an extra year of eligibility. The move came late in the process, but after watching other players in similar situations receive a preliminary injunction, he decided to pursue it.
Even if Huff wins that case, a return to Morgantown is far from guaranteed. Hodge said he’s not spending much time on the possibility right now.
“Honor’s situation is a little different than those other guys because of the window," Hodge told reporters on Wednesday. "So, in the beginning again, being honest, being transparent in those conversations, you’re always kind of like, hey, man, your situation is I don’t want to say a Hail Mary, but it’s certainly not as clean as the other two guys.
And it wasn’t until there were some people in his situation in other lawsuits around the country that experienced some relief. I think that’s what piqued his interest, like, you know, well, if they’re getting it, can I get it?
He’s still really in not the infant stages, but it would be premature to…you’d be talking about a lot of hypotheticals, which I know doesn’t make it as fun for you guys. But I try not to talk in hypotheticals because then it gets to, well, ‘Coach said...’ and you’re talking about something that you don’t know.
So I honestly have not put much thought into that situation. If it became a reality, I think you can cross it.
You maybe have some conversations as it leads closer to it. I am supportive of him for sure.”
Huff’s college path is part of what makes the case unusual. He has already spent five years in school, starting at VMI before following head coach Dan Earl to Chattanooga.
Because the Southern Conference requires intra-conference transfers to sit out, that year is the one Huff is trying to reclaim. He understood the sit-out would come with the move to Chattanooga, but it still kept him from playing a full five seasons.
For now, WVU’s roster situation adds another layer. The team is full, which is one reason Hodge isn’t rushing to map out a reunion.
If there were a spot open, he might be more willing to discuss it. As it stands, a lot still has to happen before Huff would be cleared, and if that ever does become real, Hodge would likely weigh bringing him back.
That would also mean someone currently on the roster would have to go, most likely one of the walk-ons.
On the court, Huff would bring perimeter scoring and another layer of offense. The fit, though, isn’t immediately simple.
Pairing him with Miles Sadler, another undersized guard, would raise lineup questions, and that could push Huff into a bench role. Still, Hodge said it’s all too early to get into those details because the whole thing may never come together.
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