Xavier fans have notoriously hated Bob Huggins. One could say that the very existence of Huggins at UC helped to fuel the X-UC rivalry. Now, X fans get to see Huggins again, only this time in the Sweet 16 and on the sideline of the West Virginia Mountaineers. Huggins has had mixed success in the NCAA tourney while at UC. He went to a Final Four, an Elite 8 and a couple Sweet 16s, but he also had early exits. In his first year coaching WVU, Huggins took the #7 seed Mountaineers to the Sweet 16 after beating Duke. Maybe the change of address has helped Huggins rediscover that tourney success formula. Either way, WVU faces a big challenge in Xavier. Make no mistake, and put the cordial attitude that will be spouted to the media by Huggins, Bob wants to win this game - badly. And, as a UC fan, longing to find something to grab hold of in this tourney (other than winning my brackets), I've now found it. Just as I wanted (very badly) UC to beat Huggins in Morgantown (which they did), I now (even more badly) want WVU to knock off X and send them home. This will eat the obnoxious X fans up, thinking that they lost to "Thuggins". Let's not forget the classlessness the X fans gave Huggins when he brought Kansas State to town as they had people dressed as jailbirds, signs up about Huggins' DUI, etc. No, Xavier, has NEVER had any player in trouble. They are above it all. They also were NEVER jealous of what Huggins was able to do while at UC (which was steal the limelight away from Xavier). Their fans have never gotten over it and will always hate Huggins. So, it would seem only fitting that Huggins beat what could be X's best team ever and deny them a shot at the Elite 8.

This match up will either be sweet vindication for X fans or their worst nightmare. I'm hoping for the latter. Go Mountaineers. 

Edit: And just found this fantastic article on Bob. It's a must read. As someone who covered and talked with and (sort of ) knew Bob while I was at UC working for and running the News Record on campus, I can say this article truly sums up the enigma that is Bob Huggins. Perfectly.