Ross Hodge Evaluates WVU’s Recent Struggles, Defends Honor Huff

Just when it appeared as if Ross Hodge was about to guide WVU into the NCAA Tournament, they embarked on a three-game losing skid that will likely end their chances at being part of March’s madness.

On Thursday night ahead of a must-win game on Saturday, Hodge was asked about what’s gone wrong during his weekly radio show.

“Gave ourselves a chance to win both games. Didn’t execute well enough on either side of the ball down the stretch of TCU, that was a lack of execution. We turned the ball over, couldn’t get it where we wanted it. At Oklahoma State, they made some difficult shots towards the end of regulation. We kept them out of the paint, I didn’t feel like there were defensive breakdowns for a lot of their shots. Like when they banked in a three, or when Clary flailed trying to draw a foul but hit the three anyway. Parsa Fallah isn’t a good shooter but he hit a contested three. Curry is a 27 percent 3-point shooter but he went 3-for-3. I thought Jasper’s foul trouble hurt us in the first half, and our point of attack defense was poor in the last four minutes of the first half, we dug ourselves a hole. We fought back, but we needed a couple misses.”

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But since he can’t change what’s already in the past, Hodge also looked to what’s ahead in the final games of the regular season.

“I’m excited for another incredible opportunity, excited to continue to give these guys everything they’ve given me. From the moment they’ve [the players] stepped on campus, they’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do. It’s not always at the level we want, but the buy-in has been excellent and I’m thankful for the group. We still have opportunities… you can run out of opportunities, but everything is still in front of you. We have to find a way to be a possession or two better, because that’s the margin of difference these last few games.”

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And as far as how WVU’s top player, Honor Huff, has played lately, Hodge acknowledged the highs and lows of his game while trying to put his full season in perspective.

“He had good looks, the game opened up for him. He made some tough shots in the TCU game as well. If you can’t appreciate what he’s been able to do this year, under the level of duress that he’s had to do it at with bigger, stronger, faster, longer people going into every game doing everything they can inside and sometimes outside the rules to not allow him to do what he’s done. Appreciate a guy that never complains and played 45 minutes in a Big 12 road game. We would love for him to make every three he ever shoots, myself included, because we’re spoiled. He, more than anyone, wants to be associated with winning. If you can’t appreciate that, you should self-evaluate. You need to learn to appreciate when someone’s giving you everything they have.”

WVU, now sitting at 16-12 (7-8, Big 12) will take the court again at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday when the team hosts No. 19 BYU.

Find more coverage of Ross Hodge and WVU basketball at WV Sports Now.

For a related story, Mike Asti discussed both the pros and cons of West Virginia accepting a non NCAA Tournament bid.