You've missed your opportunity this year.

But if you have an extra $17,500 (and, really, who doesn't?), next year you can check out West Virginia coach Bob Huggins and friends in Las Vegas.

Huggins is currently on staff at the Michael Jordan Fantasy Camp, which is being held at The Mirage.

The others on staff? Well, there's Jordan himself. Then there's Bill Walton. There's current North Carolina coach Roy Williams. There's past Tar Heel coach Dean Smith. There's Louisville coach Rick Pitino and Minnesota coach Tubby Smith.

And on and on the list goes.

"It's a four-day event,'' Huggins said by phone Tuesday. "Hubie and I are the only ones who have done it every year.''

In case you're wondering, yes, he means NBA legend Hubie Brown.

In case you didn't know, it's an odd little NCAA block that allows coaches to work with players four at a time for a total of two hours a week until Sept. 14. Then, from Sept. 15 until Oct. 18, coaches can work with all of their players for two hours a week.

Anyway, newcomers Kevin Jones and Devin Ebanks have been paired with Da'Sean Butler and Wellington Smith. And on Tuesday, big man Dee Proby got some work with Mountaineer assistant Larry Harrison.

"When he reported he was in a lot better shape than anticipated,'' Harrison said of 6-foot-10, 245-pound Proby. "He was a little heavier when he signed. Then he missed summer workouts because of [junior college] classes. Now he's trying to catch up.''

Harrison said he really likes the attitude of the current group. ("Last year, we were just trying to get them competitive and teaching them how to play hard,'' said the coach.)

Huggins' assistant said he wants to see how newcomers like Jones, Ebanks and "Truck'' Bryant play on the defensive end. But if you're seeking early impressions ...

"With Ebanks, the effort is there. But he's long and athletic. The length seems to make him more athletic.''

And . . .

"Kevin Jones is like a sponge. He's soaking everything up. Has a great work ethic.''

And . . .

But if you have an extra $17,500 (and, really, who doesn't?), next year you can check out West Virginia coach Bob Huggins and friends in Las Vegas.

Huggins is currently on staff at the Michael Jordan Fantasy Camp, which is being held at The Mirage.

The others on staff? Well, there's Jordan himself. Then there's Bill Walton. There's current North Carolina coach Roy Williams. There's past Tar Heel coach Dean Smith. There's Louisville coach Rick Pitino and Minnesota coach Tubby Smith.

And on and on the list goes.

"It's a four-day event,'' Huggins said by phone Tuesday. "Hubie and I are the only ones who have done it every year.''

In case you're wondering, yes, he means NBA legend Hubie Brown.

In case you didn't know, it's an odd little NCAA block that allows coaches to work with players four at a time for a total of two hours a week until Sept. 14. Then, from Sept. 15 until Oct. 18, coaches can work with all of their players for two hours a week.

Anyway, newcomers Kevin Jones and Devin Ebanks have been paired with Da'Sean Butler and Wellington Smith. And on Tuesday, big man Dee Proby got some work with Mountaineer assistant Larry Harrison.

"When he reported he was in a lot better shape than anticipated,'' Harrison said of 6-foot-10, 245-pound Proby. "He was a little heavier when he signed. Then he missed summer workouts because of [junior college] classes. Now he's trying to catch up.''

Harrison said he really likes the attitude of the current group. ("Last year, we were just trying to get them competitive and teaching them how to play hard,'' said the coach.)

Huggins' assistant said he wants to see how newcomers like Jones, Ebanks and "Truck'' Bryant play on the defensive end. But if you're seeking early impressions ...

"With Ebanks, the effort is there. But he's long and athletic. The length seems to make him more athletic.''

And . . .

"Kevin Jones is like a sponge. He's soaking everything up. Has a great work ethic.''

And . . .

"Truck [Bryant] is competing against Joe Mazzulla every day.''

OK. I'll even toss in a recruiting note that could have led the column.

This past February, West Virginia's most vital recruit was five-star Parkersburg High lineman Josh Jenkins. It was a sign to WVU fans that, hey, everything might be OK after all despite the loss of coach Rich Rodriguez to Michigan.

Well, Bill Stewart's staff might not be done with Jenkins' family.

Some of you may know that Jenkins' brother, Paul Johnson, a former Ohio University offensive lineman, is now a graduate assistant coach. But in the wings is little brother Justin Johnson, now a sophomore at Parkersburg High.

Whispers are that WVU's staff has a definite interest in the super soph. He is listed at 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds.

Fine. While Jenkins' little brother is already receiving interest, George Washington's Rodney Hudson is still awaiting offers. The 6-4, 265-pound man-child has landed interest from schools like Purdue, WVU, Wake Forest and Eastern Kentucky. But ...

"No offers yet,'' said GW coach Steve Edwards. "I don't understand. He's a man. He can flat-out play. Just the other day he did a nice job against Cabell Midland and Hurricane. I guess some schools are waiting for a bit more film.''

There are a lot of silly games that kick off college football. Within the Big East, for instance, South Florida plays host to Tennessee-Martin. (Note: Fine USF tailback Mike Ford is now listed as a backup. Can you say doghouse?)

Also, Connecticut is playing host to Hofstra. Yes, The Pride.

And while on the subject of pride, watch the final score in that one.

Tidbit: Hofstra drubbed UConn by 56-17 in Hempstead, N.Y., in the teams' most recent matchup back in 1999.

Which happened to be the UConn debut for coach Randy Edsall.

Reach Mitch Vingle at 348-4827 or mitchvin...@wvgazette.com.