Bob Huggins is in his office, the one in the basketball practice facility, the one with a balcony that overlooks the court. He’s in there one morning or afternoon or evening, any day during either of the past two weeks. Down below, he hears the door open. A ball hits the floor and someone with squeaky sneakers is dribbling. The squeaks stop. The dribble goes silent. The noiseless window is shattered by composite leather spinning through nylon netting.

Huggins moves to the balcony. He looks down. It’s Tarik Phillip. Again. The conversations are getting through to Phillip, and Phillip is getting better on the floor for the Mountaineers.