Bearcat Beatdown for Bobby

As a longtime fan of Cincinnati Bearcat basketball, Wednesday evening couldn't have been much sweeter.

Right now, there are seven minutes left and UC is up 53-34 over Bob Huggins' West Virginia Mountaineers. Mick Cronin and his motley crew of juco players and freshmen walked into Morgantown and handed Huggie Bear a beat down. And I love it.

Not only have I never cared for WVU, I really can't stand Bob Huggins, who by the way graduated from WVU. But not so long ago, he was the much beloved coach at UC. Look, I'll give the guy credit. He built Cincinnati into one of the most consistent programs in the nation. He took it to two Elite Eight appearances and a Final Four. For that, I tip my cap. Thanks for making Cincy a winner.

But my problem with Huggins comes with the way he left the program. Yes, I know he got fired, but I hardly blame Nancy Z. for that. She had no choice. Huggins was picked up for DUI, had an absurdly low graduation rate, players were being arrested. Oh, the program was winning, but was on a collision course with a full-on NCAA-sanctioned probation.

In fact, Cincy did get placed on probation just as Huggins took a lucrative job at Kansas State. But in his final season, he recruited virtually no one. Andy Kennedy stepped in, did a fair job but his hands were tied in recruiting. Mick Cronin has since took over and after a horrible first year, they are 5-4 in the Big East with wins over Louisville, Syracuse, Villanova, Pitt and now West Virginia.

Huggins, of course, went to WVU and left Kansas State high and dry. He recruited Bill Walker and Michael Beasley then slipped out the back door just when the KSU administration wasn't looking. He left them in a pinch, too, forcing them to hire Frank Martin just to so Beasley wouldn't bolt.

Huggins is a total slime ball. He embodies everything that is wrong with collegiate athletics right now. Winning is top priority and it comes at any cost.

He left Cincinnati in a bad way and on Wednesday it was time for redemption. Not only did the Bearcats beat Huggins' team, they beat 'em bad and beat Huggins at his own game. Cincy out-toughed, out-hustled and out-defended. It was an ugly game, but that's the way Huggins' teams play. But it wasn't his team that won. And that made it a beautiful game.

WVU fans, never fear. You'll win as long as Huggie is there. Just be ready for some sketchy behavior and an NCAA investigation or three. Also, be aware that he'll leave. And he'll leave at the most opportune time for him and the most inopportune time for the program.