MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – On location for an episode of Duck Dynasty? A Dan Haggerty look-a-like contest? 
 
No and no, this is your West Virginia University men's basketball coach Bob Huggins, who conducted this year's news conference to tip off preseason practice from the comforts of his backyard.
 
We heard birds chirping, dogs barking and even an airplane making its final approach to Hart Field during this highly entertaining 25-minute Zoom video conference.
 
Of note, Huggins said the Pitt game will not happen as a result of the reduced number of games being played this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
West Virginia will begin preseason practice on Thursday, Oct. 15. Teams are permitted to practice 30 times over a 42-day period prior to their first game, which will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
 
The regular season has been pared to 27 games, so with 18 Big 12 games that leaves nine non-conference opportunities. As of today, the confirmed non-conference games on the WVU men's basketball schedule include the annual Big East-Big 12 and SEC-Big 12 challenges, as well as a three-game event in South Dakota. 
 
That means there are still four openings that need to be filled.
 
As soon as other conferences make their decisions on non-conference scheduling, West Virginia will be able to complete its 2020-21 schedule.
 
The Big 12 Conference has informed its members that schedules should be ready to be released by the end of October.
 
The NCAA has also prohibited exhibition games and closed scrimmages for this year.
 
On a positive note, Huggins believes he has the makings of an exceptional team this year.
 
You can watch the full video conference by clicking the play icon above.