Fresh off of an important and impressive run in the Cancun Challenge, the Mountaineers are returned to the United States as champions after upending a good Wichita State team 75-63.

With a quick turn around, the Mountaineers return to the Coliseum to take on the Rhode Island Rams on Sunday afternoon.

WHEN/ WHERE

Date: Sunday, December 1

Tip-off Time: 2:00 PM ET/ 3:00 PM CT

Where: WVU Coliseum

Tickets: WVUGame.com

WATCH/ LISTEN

TV: ATT SportsNet Pittsburgh

Streaming Video: WVUSports.com - WVU Sports App

Radio: WZST Variety 101 (100.9 FM in Morgantown) or the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG (Radio Affiliates)

Streaming Audio: Locate the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG on TuneIn Radio (or the TuneIn Radio app for smartphones)

Satellite Radio: SiriusXM 375

THE ENEMY

Where are they from? Kingston, Rhode Island

Series History: WVU leads 20-13 (most games occurring in the Atlantic 10 during the Catlett years)

Last Time: WVU 70, Rhode Island 83 - December 16, 2018

2019-20 Record: 5-2, Last game 73-60 over Manhattan

Head Coach: David Cox (23-17, second season)

Key Players: G Fatts Russell - 19.6 points, 4.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds

F Cyril Langevine - 10 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.3 blocks

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Bob Huggins appeared to light a fire under this team for the Cancun Championship game. They out rebounded the Shockers by 17 and had 17 offensive rebounds.

The Mountaineers are going to be one of the best rebounding teams in the nation and they have to exert their will love the Rams on the glass to ensure a victory.

In order to avenge last year’s loss to Rhode Island, they Mountaineers will be tasked with shutting down two players who will receive post season awards in the Atlantic 10.

Fatts Russell averages almost 20 points per game and uses his passing game to generate almost 5 assists per game. The WVU on-ball defense will have to be good to keep him in check.

Cyril Langevine is a 6-8, 230 pound power forward who is averaging a double-double. He will prove to be one of the toughest players the Culver-Tshiebwe has faced. They cannot lose focus, they have to keep him off the glass.

HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)

5

Rhode Island lost to then-number seven Maryland by 18 and by 13 to a good LSU team. They are 5-2 and will be an upper-half Atlantic 10 team and shouldn’t be a problem for this WVU team.

WVU loses if they can’t refocus after a big win in Cancun, his is a trap game in that sense. A holiday tournament win that saw a couple of big comebacks will have this team feeling pretty good. They have to stay focused in order the beat the Rams.

West Virgina 70, Rhody 57