If RaeQuan Battle just isn’t cleared, WVU will want a number of gamers to step up and fill the void

MORGANTOWN — Whereas remaining optimistic that RaeQuan Battle should have the ability to play at WVU this season, Josh Eilert is in full gear in the case of a Plan B.

Battle, a 6-foot-5 guard who the Mountaineers have excessive hopes for, was denied a waiver for quick eligibility on Monday by the NCAA.

WVU is at present within the technique of interesting that call to the NCAA Committee for Legislative Aid, which can render a last verdict on the case.

“I used to be very upset, however I wouldn’t say I used to be shocked with the consequence,” Eilert mentioned Wednesday throughout a press convention. “It appears like plenty of these are being denied. It looks as if the success fee has much more to do with the appeals course of. I’m nonetheless very optimistic they are going to do proper by him.”

Eilert mentioned he and members of the athletic division would meet later Wednesday to go over Battle’s case. He mentioned the NCAA provided some info as to why it denied Battle’s waiver, however “it wasn’t so much”

So far as the attraction, Eilert mentioned there wouldn’t be a lot new info offered to the evaluate board.

“To my data, it’s extra about having a contemporary set of eyes,” wanting on the case,” Eilert mentioned. “It’s extra of a bunch of your friends as a substitute of the NCAA that takes a glance within the appeals course of. There’s not a lot that modifications from the file.

“Actually I believe you set one other stamp of your abstract on it and also you submit it.”

Slightly than NCAA personnel making the ultimate resolution, the Committee for Legislative Aid is made up of seven members with ties to precise college athletic departments and conferences.

WVU’s argument for Battle’s waiver facilities round a psychological well being angle, that the senior wants basketball in his life to assist present a way or normality and stability.

“RaeQuan is such an ideal particular person and a really constructive individual regardless of all of the challenges he’s had in his life,” Eilert mentioned. “RaeQuan wants basketball in his life, he actually does.”

Battle’s background as an American Indian with the Tulalip Tribe in Washington is crammed with tragedy.

In 2014, a faculty taking pictures at Marysville-Pilchuck Excessive Faculty noticed 4 victims gunned down earlier than the shooter took his personal life. Battle was associated to the shooter.

Since then, basketball has been an outlet for Battle, a lot as Eilert tried to convey Wednesday.

“To not have the ability to compete, he loses a few of that optimism. I fear for him,” Eilert mentioned. “Actually, it’s a problem for his psychological well being. That’s what I fear about essentially the most, not having that competitors. It’s a tragic state of affairs.”

The Mountaineers have fashioned a plan in case Battle just isn’t cleared. Going again to preseason practices, Eilert mentioned different gamers had been being ready for such a state of affairs.

“We’ve got a Plan B,” Eilert mentioned. “You must have a look at issues otherwise offensively, the place everyone else goes to must step up and be extra of a menace.

“You’re not going to only exchange him with one man, it’s a mixture. Sure guys who’re pass-first guys will in all probability must look to take a shot a little bit extra. Sure guys who come off the bench are going to must benefit from that duty in that we’re going to depend on to win video games. It’s a bunch effort.”