Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information and daily distractions.  We're being brought to you today by Fuller's London Pride Ale, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.

It's a new day and another recruit has flipped to MU.  It's sad, sickening, disgusting...it's life sometimes.  I've linked to a decent article that puts it in decent perspective.  I think its more of a PR problem at this point than a personnel problem for the future, but only the future will tell.  I'd appreciate any tips, suggestions or requests.  Everything you need is inside...

What You May Have Missed:

Gold and Blue Report for Tuesday - WVMETRONEWS.COM

WVU Varsity Sports Report - BlueGoldNews.com

Bracket Watch - Andy Glockner - SI.com

Bracketology - ESPN

NCAA College Basketball Polls - ESPN
11 AP, 12 Coaches

BIG EAST Hardwood Slate 1/18 - WVIllustrated.com

Rifle: WVU Drops to No. 2 - MSNsportsNET.Com
At first I was like, WTF?!?! But then I read the criteria for the rankings and it is statistical. So, fair enough...we'll just shoot our way back to the top when it really counts.

Gyorko Named Among Nation's Best - WVIllustrated.com

News of Note:

On a Quest for Greatness - WVIllustrated.com

Hoop Thoughts - Seth Davis - SI.com
"A Big East coach who has scouted West Virginia told me that part of the Mountaineers' problem is that their guards who can defend are not good shooters, and their guards who can shoot are not good defenders."

Scottie Reynolds' evolution and more Big East lessons learned - Luke Winn - SI.com

Offense has been trouble for WVU men - Charleston Daily Mail

So this is the easy part of WVU's schedule? - Charleston Gazette
Hickman's random thoughts

Herd rebounded after last game vs. ranked opponent - Charleston Gazette

Ready for rivalry - Register-Herald

State supremacy at stake - Parkersburg News and Sentinel

WVU, MU fans have high hopes - Parkersburg News and Sentinel

Women's Basketball: WVU up Two Spots in AP Poll - MSNsportsNET.Com
Up to #16

Landon: Later start time not gonna help at 'Classic' - The Herald Dispatch
If I lived closer, I'd go watch 'em. The later start time gives people easier time to get there, Landon (you ignorant slut).  Der!!!

Florida, USC hit hardest at draft deadline; Ohio St. fairly unscathed - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
He lists us as among the biggest winners.

Brown Opts Out of Shrine Game - WVMETRONEWS.COM

Brown Working Toward the Future - WVIllustrated.com

Recruiting:

WR prospect now picking Herd over WVU - Charleston Gazette
I know we're gonna be ok, but this is getting sickening.

Doc Holliday Gets Two Recruits from WVU - Bleacher Report
Decent perspective....I'm still hating on Doc, just in a different way now.

Cottrill finds way to improve his game - Charleston Daily Mail

Around the League (and Beyond):

Kansas State holds on as No. 1 Texas falls to 17-1 - ESPN
71 - 62

Syracuse holds off Notre Dame in second half - ESPN
84 - 71

Mick Cronin: More playing time for Cincinnati's Jaquon Parker - Cincinnati Enquirer

Holtz fills out USF staff with experienced coaches - Tampa Tribune

Source: Ex-Marshall coach Mark Snyder to be South Florida's defensive coordinator - ESPN

Defense is key to end Louisville basketball’s late letdowns - Courier-Journal

Pitt's Gibbs hard to keep off floor - PPG

What's On Tap:

Big East has a rare night off.

Video of Interest:

Joe Lunardi talks about the BE and his brackets.

Video of (Dis)Interest:

This is just cool...especially when you consider it's for a college team.

Blue Jeans Gallery of the Week:

via coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is an accomplished ballet dancer, singer and actress from England.  Here's Jennifer Ellison.

via lh3.ggpht.com

Fuller's London Pride Ale image via www.fullers.co.uk