Will RaeQuan Battle Get Cleared? Josh Eilert Gives His 'Gut Feeling'
West Virginia has a talented, yet thin roster for the 2023-24 season. Much of that can be attributed to the transfer portal and the mess that took place this summer. But the Mountaineers still feel pretty good about their chances thanks to a strong core of experienced players in Kerr Kriisa, Jesse Edwards, and RaeQuan Battle.
The biggest concern, though, is how WVU would fare if Battle does not receive clearance from the NCAA to play this season. Because Battle already used his one-time transfer going from Washington to Montana State, he needs a waiver to become immediately eligible.
With less than a month until the start of the season, there is still no answer. Shocker, right? The NCAA piddles around and oftentimes has eligibility cases spill into the season before coming to a decision. Tuesday afternoon, WVU head coach Josh Eilert doesn't believe that will be the situation here with Battle since they have been on top of everything in terms of getting all the information the NCAA needs to make its ruling. Eilert says he hopes to hear a response sometime this week.
"Worst-case scenario he doesn't get it and we have to do what's best for RaeQuan, so we're going to keep him involved in everything we do. Keep our thumb on him so to speak in terms of getting better each and every day, staying locked in. I really worry about that for RaeQuan because he really does need basketball in his life. I've touched on his story a little bit and I don't want to get into it. Basketball is something he needs on a day-to-day basis. He needs that structure and that accountability each and every day to keep his head on straight.
"I really feel like it should be a rubber stamp if you know his file and what he's went through and why he chose West Virginia. There's a lot of dynamics and a lot of variables to this whole story and I think the NCAA is going to do right by him at the end of the day and he's going to be playing for us. That's my gut feeling."
If the NCAA deems Battle ineligible, Eilert says they will appeal the decision. If they deny the initial case and then the appeal, it will greatly impact WVU's chances to participate in March Madness.
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