Casey Mitchell’s absence seems to be one that, if he approaches it responsibly, may be just a few games. Dan Jennings’ absence looks like a permanent one … and that may have been a long time coming.

“I don’t want to get into the history of things,” Huggins said, “but it’s time.”

Jennings, a 6-8, 260-pound sophomore from Staten Island, N.Y., had started the previous three games and played in 14 of the first 17 games, but didn’t start against the Bulls and didn’t play in the first half. Jennings left the bench after halftime and then left the Coliseum.

He was averaging 2.1 points and 2.5 rebounds in 8.6 minutes and Huggins said he was through enabling Jennings by allowing him to repeat bad habits.

“I think it’s my fault,” Huggins said. “I’ve told them for the last few years I don’t think there’s anything that could happen I haven’t seen in 29 years as a head coach – and they’ve proven me wrong several times this year. It’s unfathomable for me that someone would leave their team at halftime. I just can’t imagine anybody doing that.”

And now for matters more related to the team and the season:

– Who’s your starting five tomorow? Remember, Louisville presses. That makes Truck and Mazzulla very important. Do they start, if for no other reason than maybe it helps the Mountaineers get settled early?

– What does your bench look like? Don’t you have to travel with Craig Carey? You kind of need guards, just in case, right?

– Where do Mitchell’s 16.8 points come from for the next few games? No one’s going to take that on all by themselves, but this is a team that wants to do what it does. For a couple of those players, that’s not scoring. In this predicament, it might have to be.  

– Can Kevin Jones and John Flowers play 38-40 minutes? To that, can Deniz Kilicli play 28?

– Is that the bat signal, Bradley Starks?