By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moments after the University of Cincinnati Bearcats eked out a 59-53 win over East Carolina on Wednesday night in Greenville, N.C., coach Bob Huggins told his players he would not be attending Thursday's practice because his mother was undergoing surgery for colon cancer in Canton, Ohio.

"It was sort of emotional," said senior forward Leonard Stokes, "because it's his mother. No matter what's going on, that's your mom.

"I just gave him a hug and told him that I love him."

Norma Huggins underwent a colonoscopy Monday after having complained of back pain, UC associate head coach Dan Peters said.

On Wednesday, about six hours before the ECU game, Bob Huggins received a call informing him surgery would be performed right away.

The news hit the UC coach hard.

Said Peters: "I've never seen him like this before. You don't know what to say. You don't know what to do."

The surgery was done Thursday, and Norma Huggins was in satisfactory condition Thursday night.

Peters conducted practice Thursday, but Huggins is expected to return today to continue preparations for Saturday's game against Charlotte at Shoemaker Center.

E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com