Bob Huggins opens up on relationship with Erik Stevenson

20200517_134556by:Justin Rudolph•03/15/23

Throughout the season, West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins has talked much about his star guard Erik Stevenson. Some nights a ton of praise is heaped upon the senior guard; while on other nights, Huggins can be critical of him. But what is their relationship exactly like off the court? While preparing for their first-round matchup against Maryland, Huggins revealed what their relationship is like and what it means to him.

“Believe it or not, Erik and I have always had a pretty good relationship,” said Huggins. “I think there’s been a lot of guys through the years that we have great relationships that people really have no idea, because I think most of us think that it’s nobody’s damn idea anyways other than ours. When you take care of each other, which obviously he has done a great job of, particularly here of late.

“You know, I forget what the question was. He’s never played in an NCAA Tournament, which is really hard to believe. It’s hard to believe that he’s played for the coaches that he’s played for and the programs he’s played in, and he hasn’t played in an NCAA Tournament. So, hopefully, he’s kind of settled down and plays this like he would play any other game.”

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Stevenson transferred to West Virginia before the start of the 2022-23 season after spending last season in South Carolina with the Gamecocks. In his lone season under Huggins, the Lacey, WA, native has had a career year. Stevenson is averaging 15.5 points per game which is not only a career-high but leads the Mountaineers in scoring. He also enjoys career highs in field goal percentage, 43.8, and three-point percentage, 38.1.

While Stevenson may have had his share of rough games this season, Huggins has trusted him to lead the Mountaineers. And he has done a solid job of it thus far, leading them to a been in this year’s NCAA tournament. And on Thursday morning, he’ll get the chance to lead West Virginia to a possible first-round victory over Maryland.