West Virginia sophomore starter Devin Ebanks was not in attendance at the Mountaineers’ season opening 83-60 win against Loyola (Md.) Sunday.
WVU head coach Bob Huggins said Ebanks had "personal issues he has to work through." Huggins had no further comment about the issue and players deferred comments to Huggins.
Huggins did not know whether Ebanks would be back for the team’s next game Nov. 24 against The Citadel in Charleston, W.Va.
Fellow sophomore forward Kevin Jones started in Ebanks’ place. It was the first start of his career. He finished with 14 points and seven rebounds in 33 minutes.
In addition, true freshman Danny Jennings received more playing time than expected with Ebanks out of the lineup and produced a spark to the team, particularly in the first half. Jennings missed out on his first double-double, but scored nine points and had 12 rebounds.
"I thought he was good. He changed shots," Huggins said.
West Virginia’s third-year head coach said he wondered earlier this week after sub-par practices from Jennings whether he would be able to make an impact this season.
Huggins showed Jennings tape of former Cincinnati forward Eric Hicks and the hustle and energy he played with.
"I said, ‘Danny, that’s what I expect from you,’" Huggins said.
Jennings said that video helped him realize his place on the team.
"There are a lot of things you can do to change a game outside of scoring," he said. "I’m not worried about stats, though, I’m worried about winning."
Jennings was a major factor in the game Sunday, particularly in the first half, when a lineup combination of him alongside Da’Sean Butler, John Flowers, Johnnie West and Jones sparked a 10-0 run in under three minutes to go from being down seven to up three, at 23-20.
Jones scored five, Butler scored three and Jennings scored two – a momentum-changing layup that fired up the crowd and the team.
"I told (Jennings) after the game, ‘thank God you came into the game,’" said Butler, who finished with 26 points. "It would’ve been a long game without him in there.
"When I see him work hard, it gives me energy."
Flowers went out with an injury to his foot late in the first half. He came directly out of the game and went straight to the locker room. He did not return the bench in the second half.
Huggins said Flowers was transported to the hospital and X-rays were negative.
WVU point guard Joe Mazzulla did not play in the game. Huggins chose to rest him.
"He could’ve played, but how hard do you push him?" Huggins asked. "I didn’t see any reason to push him."
Mazzulla is continuing to feel the effects from surgery to his shoulder last season. He reaggravated the injury in the team’s preseason scrimmage and did not play in the exhibition game vs. Mountain State Nov. 8.
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