Eilert Expects RaeQuan Battle to Make Season Debut vs. Radford

West Virginia basketball has been waiting for the debut of guard RaeQuan Battle for quite some time now. Battle has been the face of the multi-time transfers vs. the NCAA in court this winter and became eligible last Wednesday. Battle was expected to make his season debut for the Mountaineers on Saturday vs. UMass but was out of action with flu-like symptoms. Now, WVU interim HC Josh Eilert expects Battle to play vs. Radford on Wednesday still.

“He’s not 100%. He went yesterday [in practice]. You could tell it wasn’t RaeQuan at his 100% level but he’s getting there,” Eilert said on Tuesday. “Hopefully I see more improvement today. Excited for him that things are going in the right direction for his health.”

Eilert was then asked if the plan is for Battle to suit up against the Highlanders.

“Yes, 100%,” he added.

Battle transferred from Montana State this April after averaging 17.7 points on 47% shooting for the Bobcats. Battle led Montana State to the NCAA Tournament, giving 3-seed Kansas State a game in the first round. Battle and the Bobcats fell short but the current Mountaineer scored a game-high 27 points. Battle has transferred multiple times as an undergraduate student-athlete and was not a grad transfer after his summer session.

West Virginia will tipoff with Radford at 7 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum on Wednesday as they welcome back former guard and current Highlanders HC Darris Nichols.