It wasn't much of a recipe for success: A first-year coach and recruits not of his own choosing.

But for fans of homegrown coach Bob Huggins, that makes West Virginia's early victories in the NCAA men's basketball tournament that much sweeter. And it makes the pains of the last 12 months a little easier to take.

First, John Beilein left to lead the basketball team at Michigan. Then Rich Rodriguez abandoned the football team for Michigan, shortly after losing a chance to play for the national championship.

Some say Huggins has given WVU fans something else to focus on. And like a lot of fans, Gigi Lee, a regional manager for the Boston Beanery restaurants, admits to a little gloating.

She's happy that while WVU is in the Sweet 16, Beilein's team is sitting home.

The Wolverines lost a record 22 games in Beilein's first year. Huggins' team is 26-10 heading into Thursday's game against Xavier.