Any steps forward the West Virginia Mountaineers (6-4) took in the Backyard Brawl last Saturday were followed up by massive leaps backwards, or at least that’s what it looked like this afternoon in Uncasville, Connecticut when the Mountaineers took on the Rhode Island Rams (5-3) in the Basketball Hall of Fame Holiday Showcase.
Sagaba Konate was ruled out of the contest with a knee injury shortly before tipoff, leaving West Virginia relying on Esa Ahmad and a conglomeration of inconsistent players to show up against a Rhode Island team that dominates the glass and doesn’t turn the ball over.