Eilert Provides Context to Battle Sitting Out vs. UMass

RaeQuan Battle's debut has been pushed back.

West Virginia fans were excited and looked forward to seeing the debut of Montana State transfer guard RaeQuan Battle following the ruling that came out of Wheeling on Wednesday that prevents the NCAA from enforcing their transfer rules.

Moments before the game, it was announced by the team that he would be "doubtful" to play against UMass due to flu-like symptoms. He ended up not playing in the game and the Mountaineers fell to the Minutemen, 87-79.

After the game, interim head coach Josh Eilert provided more context on Battle's situation.

"Wednesday, he testified in court and Wednesday night, I think he thought he ate something bad. He probably slept 12-15 hours on Wednesday night, afternoon all the way through. Didn’t practice on Thursday because he lost so much weight and was under the weather. Practiced yesterday, thought he was bouncing back, and then today, it was a turn for the worse again. So, he’s fighting through a illness right now and wants to be out there for his teammates but I’m not going to have him out there down 13 pounds in the conditions he’s in."

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