Renaissance (Big) Man

If West Virginia senior Kevin Pittsnogle does not look to be his usual goateed and tattooed self against UCLA today, there’s good reason.

His wife, Heather, is expecting the couple’s first child, and although her due date is Jan. 29, his son, Kwynsie, may not wait. Heather has been having contractions since the start of the year.

“Yeah, this is a pretty special time for me and my family,” said Pittsnogle, who leads the Mountaineers with averages of 20.9 points and 5.9 rebounds.

If his wife goes into labor, “I’ll be on a plane back to Morgantown,” Pittsnogle said. “Basketball is important, but nothing like having your first baby.”

The Martinsburg, W.Va., native has become, in the last four years, a college basketball cult hero as a 6-foot-11 three-point shooter. His playing style has made “You’ve been Pittsnogled” basketball vernacular throughout his home state.

“Kevin has been stepping up for us for a long time,” said Coach John Beilein, whose No. 12-ranked Mountaineers (13-3) have won 11 consecutive games. “He’s a great, great player.”

As a freshman starter in 2002-03, Pittsnogle ranked among the best first-year players in the Big East. As a sophomore, he led the Mountaineers in scoring during conference play.

And last season, Pittsnogle’s status grew with his strong play during West Virginia’s postseason run in the Big East and NCAA tournaments.

The Mountaineers became “Pittsnogle’s team” when, after averaging nearly 12 points a game during the regular season, he averaged almost 20 in leading West Virginia to the Big East championship game and the regional finals of the NCAA tournament.

“Kevin is such a tough matchup for teams,” West Virginia senior guard J.D. Collins said. “He’s 6-11; can shoot and pass the ball from the perimeter and also score inside. He’s one big-time player.”

Pittsnogle, the only native West Virginian on the roster, is comfortable with his role as hometown hero and road villain. With his unusual surname and a body covered with an assortment of colorful tattoos, he’s used to receiving special attention.

“I’ve been with him for four years and he’s always been a favorite target for fans,” Collins said. “But that stuff never bothers him one way or another.”

Heather and Pittsnogle’s mother, Tammy, are regulars at West Virginia games, home and away, but they will miss the Mountaineers’ first trip to Pauley Pavilion since 1968. Heather said she’s confident that her husband will be ready to deal with whatever greeting UCLA fans will have for him.

“It’s funny, but he never takes anything personal,” Heather said. “I remember when we played at Georgetown and it was really bad. But Kevin wasn’t even fazed by anything they did.”

Pittsnogle has excelled under the spotlight after taking a serious look at his game.

After last season, Pittsnogle made himself available for the NBA draft. But after participating in the league’s pre-draft camps, he withdrew his name because he didn’t think he was ready. During the summer, he worked hard in the weight room and on developing a quicker shooting release and stronger post game.

The results have been noticeable for the Mountaineers, who lead the Big East with a 5-0 conference record. Not only is Pittsnogle scoring and rebounding more, he’s blocking shots and doing little things to lead a team.

“After last year, people know that we’re a good team,” said forward Mike Gansey, one of five seniors who make up West Virginia’s core. “Kevin’s ability to loosen up defenses and also go inside opens things up for all of us.”

Pittsnogle led a West Virginia rally to hand Villanova it’s first defeat of the season, 91-87, when he made his last seven shots -- including two three-point baskets -- in the second half after missing four of his first five shots in the game.

“On one of his three-pointers, he shot the ball so fast that I thought it bounced off his head,” Beilein said. “He’s really tough on people when he’s shooting the ball like that.”

Oklahoma Coach Kelvin Sampson called Pittsnogle a “new-age big man,” noting, “He’s a center that faces up.”

Pittsnogle had a career-high 34 points in a win over Canisius, and he made eight of 11 shots in scoring a game-high 25 in a 92-68 blowout win at Oklahoma.

Defeating UCLA and not missing the birth of his son may be Pittsnogle’s most immediate goals, but leading West Virginia to an NCAA championship is his ultimate.

“I’m having fun and I’m glad that I came back for my senior year,” said Pittsnogle, who earned a degree in athletic coaching last year.

“I like our team. We have all of our main guys back from last year and we like playing together. Everyone knows who we are now, and we’re ready to show that we belong among the nation’s best.”