Joe Toussaint Talks Transferring, Playing Against WVU: ‘It Was Weird’

Former WVU and current Texas Tech guard Joe Toussaint spoke with the media following the Red Raiders’ 81-70 win over West Virginia on Saturday night. Toussaint transferred from WVU to Texas Tech last summer following Bob Huggins’ resignation.

“It was weird. A lot of things were going on. My family and I didn’t know what was going on and we just thought our best bet was to hit the transfer portal and see what we can get,” Toussaint said. Thank god Grant [McCasland] and his coaching staff reached out to me first. I ended up going to Tech and thank god everything is working out for me.”

Toussaint originally was set to stay at West Virginia for his fifth season of eligibility but departed to a Big 12 foe with a new staff under Grant McCasland, who was hired from North Texas. On Saturday, Toussaint faced off against his former team for the first time this season, ending the night with a game-high of 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting. The 6-foot guard also recorded seven assists.

“I really wasn’t thinking about it like that. It was just another game on the East Coast,” Toussaint said. “I was just happy my family came to see me. As you guys know, New York is like five-and-a-half [hours] away so I was happy my dad and brothers came to support me here. It’s all respect to the coaches on that side, the guys, respect them 100%.”

Toussaint spent one season at West Virginia, helping the Mountaineers return to the NCAA Tournament for one final time under Huggins. Toussaint played in all 34 games for West Virginia, averaging 9.4 points. Toussaint was 1-of-4 Mountaineers to transfer out after Huggins, along with Tre Mitchell (Kentucky), Mohamed Wague (Alabama) and James Okonkwo (North Carolina).

Toussaint is averaging 12.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists on 42% shooting for the Red Raiders this season.