Nevertheless, the rock tumbler opens and pours out the stones that were smoothed and washed last season. The opponent offers an intriguing bit of symmetry.

Let’s be honest (feels so good to say that in basketball season), there were times last season WVU was bullied and exposed, especially in the backcourt, and that was a major factor in the 19-14 record.

Included in all of that was the rather one-sided loss in the NCAA Tournament to Gonzaga. That being the last game, and the sort of performance that really bothers Bob Huggins, it was kept and presented as a reminder throughout the offseason.

The 2012-13 Mountaineers, older, presumably better and likely tougher with Juwan Staten and Matt Humphrey, in the backcourt open things up at midnight against … Gonzaga.