Rhode Island @ West Virginia preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 16, 2018 ) Rhode Island 83, West Virginia 70

West Virginia had just won the Cancun Challenge with a decisive win over Wichita State, but coach Bob Huggins already had his sights set on the next opponent. The Mountaineers, climbing up the rankings after six wins to start the season, host Rhode Island, a team that beat the Mountaineers last season 83-70 and seemed to enjoy the victory a little too much.

"They embarrassed us a year ago and that to me is a game we should be looking forward to," Huggins said matter of factly after dispatching Wichita State 75-63 behind 19 points and 18 rebounds from birthday boy Oscar Tshiebwe. Although it was his freshman who was dominant, Huggins did express some joy in winning the tournament, but mostly for the players who stayed after suffering through a miserable 15-21 season in 2018-19. "They believed in us and endured, and they love West Virginia," Huggins said. "They love being a part of it. They love the people. They love the fans the way they support us. They're the first ones to run over there and sing Country Roads with the fans in the stands. It's been a while since we've had that." Rhode Island, which has a win over Alabama and played No. 5 Maryland and LSU in its two losses, beat Manhattan 73-64 on Wednesday behind 24 points on 13-of-16 free throws by senior guard Jeff Downtin.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT RHODE ISLAND (5-2): Fatts Russell added 20 points, three assists and two steals against Manhattan, and Tyrese Martin 13 points and six rebounds as the Rams survived despite shooting 1-of-9 from the arc, committing 19 turnovers and allowing 15 offensive rebounds. The 5-10 Russell is having a great season, averaging 19.6 points, 4.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds, and the junior ranks sixth in the nation and second in the Atlantic 10 with 3.29 steals per game. In last season's win over the Mountaineers, Dowtin (15.0 points) had 18 points, seven assists and five rebounds while Russell also had 18 points to go with six rebounds, five assists and three steals.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (6-0): Tshiebwe (12.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks) was 5-of-8 from the floor and 9-of-13 from the line and secured six offensive rebounds in his third game scoring between 19 and 21 points; he has 15 points combined in his other three games. Sophomore forward Emmitt Matthews Jr. (10 points, five rebounds, 46 percent 3-pointers) added 13 points and made a big second-half 3-pointer when the Shockers were making a run. Sophomore big man Derek Culver (8.8 points, 7.8 rebounds) had seven points and nine rebounds and shot 3-of-7 from the floor to lift his shooting percentage to 31.1 for the season.

TIP-INS

1. West Virginia leads the all-time series 20-13.

2. Tshiebwe was named Cancun Challenge tournament MVP. The native of the Congo is fourth in the nation in offensive rebounding percentage (18.8).

3. As usual, Huggins has one of the top defensive clubs in the nation, ranking top 50 in defensive efficiency, field-goal and 3-point field goal defense and blocks while also ranking 13th in offensive rebound percentage and 18th in FT/FGA ratio.

PREDICTION: West Virginia 74, Rhode Island 61