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 Landry Beer, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.

How did I miss this?  "Hot Rod" Hundley is having his number retired at the game Saturday.  Can we start some kind of movement to do something nicer than what looks like a cheap used car sale sign like we have for Jerry West?  They both deserve more and it looks cheap!!  Anyway, there's a full slate of BE games this weekend and the women get to prove how good they are Sunday on ESPNU.  Suggestions and requests are always welcomed.  Have a great weekend everybody!!

Let's GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

What You May Have Missed:

Gold and Blue Report for Friday - WVMETRONEWS.COM

Hundley's 33 to Be Retired Saturday - MSNsportsNET.Com
The former #1 overall draft pick finally gets his due at his alma mater. Many great stories are around about Hundley's antics and prowess. Those that saw him play and do the things he did, speak of him in a reverence...and to a degree more than Mr. West.

NCAA College Basketball Power Rankings - ESPN

Power Rankings - Luke Winn - SI.com

NCAA College Basketball Rankings - RPI - CBSSports.com
#8 and ahead of Kentucky

Women's Bracketology - ESPN
I'm a couple days late with this one, but...#3 in the Memphis region, playing in Pittsburgh (as of now).

Answering The Call - BlueGoldNews.com
"West Virginia's defending national champion rifle team faced its toughest test of the season to date, but responded in fine fashion by knocking off the top-ranked Nanooks of Alaska-Fairbanks on Thursday." "The Mountaineers moved to 8-0 on the season by recording an aggregate score of 4697 -- tops in the nation this year. Previously, UAF had recorded scores of 4691 and 4692."

News of Note:

WVU to retire Hundley's jersey during Saturday's game - Charleston Daily Mail

Hundley event prompts memories of Charleston native - Charleston Gazette

Mitchell will be last WVU player to wear 33 - Charleston Daily Mail

Flowers blooming - Charleston Gazette

WVU's Butler ready to play Ohio State's Turner - Charleston Daily Mail

Buckeyes remember thumping by WVU - Charleston Gazette

Ebanks key to WVU’s future success - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column

WVU a basketball school? - Times West Virginian
Let the debate begin...

Marshall, WVU both have room to improve - Register-Herald

Afterthoughts: WVU vs Marshall - WVIllustrated.com

Top Big East programs of the decade - ESPN

Checking in on Big East players at East-West Shrine practice - ESPN
Alric Arnett is impressing.

Recruiting:

Jewone Snow Understands "Commitment" - WVIllustrated.com

Despite early college commitments from area football stars, nothing's solid until they sign - pbgametime.com

Ronald Powell heads up top 100 football recruits in Class of 2010 - SI.com
#15, #37 & #88 have us mentioned

College recruits would be wise not to post personal info on Web - Andy Staples - SI.com

Chip Shots: A little recruiting - Morgan Messenger

Around the League (and Beyond):

Syracuse relies on Rautins' leadership - Post-Standard

Former Syracuse basketball player Marty Headd and the first SU player to score inside the Carrier Dome, now works as a janitor - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician

Panthers face lighter stretch in Big East - PPG

Georgetown Keeping Winning Streak Real -- NCAABB FanHouse

Connecticut's Season, Not Just Calhoun, Up in the Air -- NCAABB FanHouse

Free-throw woes almost cause collapse, but Seton Hall wins 80-77 over Louisville - Star Ledger

Schedule Causing Hall To Break Loose For Pirates -- NCAABB FanHouse

Seton Hall defeats slow-footed Louisville basketball 80-77 - Courier-Journal

Cincinnati Bearcats' new combo of Deonta Vaughn and Jaquon Parker is a hit - Cincinnati Enquirer

Emotional locker room comments from Hamady Ndiaye, Dane Miller should open eyes to Rutgers' problems - Star Ledger

East Carolina tabs alumnus Ruffin McNeill as new head coach - ESPN

USC Trojans emerge as college football's team of the decade - ESPN
I won't go so far as to say we deserve to be on this list, but I think we at least deserve consideration. VT, really?!? TCU?!?!

A season of excess will do little to change big-time colleges - Frank Deford - SI.com

What's On Tap:

Villanova vs. St. John's - SI.com
Saturday at noon from MSG on ESPN

Rutgers vs. Georgetown - SI.com
Saturday at noon from the Phone Booth in DC on ESPN 360 and MASN

Ohio State vs. West Virginia - SI.com
Saturday at 2 pm from the Coliseum on CBS

Marquette vs. Syracuse - SI.com
Saturday at 2 pm from the Dome on ESPNU

DePaul vs. Notre Dame - SI.com
Saturday at 2 pm from the Joyce Center on ESPN 350 and MASN.

Texas vs. Connecticut - SI.com
Saturday at 4 pm from Hartford on CBS

Cincinnati vs. Louisville - SI.com
Sunday at noon from Freedom Hall on ESPN 360 and MASN

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - ESPN
The #11 women take on #5 ND on Sunday at 1 pm from the Joyce Center on ESPNU.

Pittsburgh vs. Seton Hall - SI.com
Sunday at 2 pm from the Prudential Center in Newark on ESPN 360, MASN and Fox Sports Pittsburgh.

Video of Interest:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

24 Gallery of the Week:

The Women of 24...All of Them:

via funnycrave.com

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is a native of Louisiana, former Miss USA, model and actress.  She jumped into our hearts with a memorable Doritos commercial during the Super Bowl.  Please welcome Ally Landry.

via www.desktopexchange.com

Landry Beer Clock image via www.freecarshow.com