WVU went to Puerto Rico pretty sure it was going to be a guard-first, perimeter-oriented transition team. The Mountaineers felt somewhat confident Casey Mitchell had made a valuable personal adaptation, but were curious what to do with the two point guards who were going to have to play well and frequently together.

Didn’t go so well against Minnesota, which had a great advantage in the frontcourt, but won the game because of the play of its backcourt.

Al Nolen is a nice player and a senior who knows the tricks, but he’s not been a 17-point guy. WVU’s point guards couldn’t stay with Nolen — he was 11-for-12 at the free-throw line — and couldn’t match Nolen and Blake Hoffarber.

The Mountaineers were outplayed by Minnesota’s bigs, but were only outrebounded by one and actually managed to grab more offensive rebounds (20-17). Guard play was critical and Bryant acknowledged the obvious afterward.

Bryant played just 10 minutes, took (and missed) one shot and finished with more turnovers (3) than points (0) and assists (1).

“I let my team down,’’ Bryant said. “We’re going to be good regardless of losing this game. But honestly, I didn’t show up to play. I let my team down. I was a no-show. We’ll get better. This is a long season and it’s just the third or fourth game of the season. We’re a talented bunch. We just have to pick it up. We will and we’ll win.’’

The Eers discovered they have a shooter and go-to scorer on the trip in Mitchell. He followed up his 31-point, game-winning-3 performance against Vandy with a 27-point showing against the Gophers. Mitchell, a senior, is no longer waging verbal warfare with West Virginia coach Bob Huggins.

“I’m a senior and I’ve got nothing to lose, so I’m focused every night,’’ Mitchell said. “If my shot doesn’t fall, I’ve got to help my team somewhere else and make the pass to an open man.’’