Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's nationally recognized best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Syracuse Pale Ale, in honor of our host site.
It's the Regional Finals with a berth to the Final Four in Indianapolis on the line. Big test on tap today for the men. Kentucky is easily the most talented team we've faced all year, but we're also the most physical team they've faced. Story lines beaten to death today include:
- Huggs and the softer side
- Huggs and Cal, old friends
- Da's hand and it's ok
- Patterson vs. his home state's flagship university, WVU
Keep the tips, suggestions and requests coming and don't forget to VOTE. Let's get it started with a good ole...
LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What You May Have Missed:
Kentucky Preview - MSNsportsNET.Com
Head-to-head: West Virginia vs. Kentucky - who has the basketball advantage? - Courier-Journal
Loyalties Blur State Lines - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Elite 8 Photo Gallery - BGN
Images from Friday's media sessions for the West Virginia - Kentucky Elite 8 match-up
West Virginia fans enjoying their moment - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
There is something about team with a will - Register-Herald
Inching Closer to Indianapolis - WVIllustrated.com
News of Note:
Dream matchup - Charleston Gazette
Saturday's matchups, Baylor's breakout, more - Seth Davis - SI.com
Bring On The Wildcats - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Kentucky, West Virginia ready for showdown - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
West Virginia, Kentucky similar in many ways - Times West Virginian
Big challenge - Times West Virginian
WVU faces tall task in Kentucky - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Kentucky could hit the wall vs. WVU zone - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Bob Huggins, a Mountain(eer) of a Man -- NCAABB FanHouse
Bob Huggins back at home, back on top - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
More to Huggs Than Meets The Eye - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
WVU coach Bob Huggins: Tough guy, big heart - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register (AP)
Huggins, Cal friendship goes beyond hoops - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column
Matchup of friends, foes - Charleston Gazette
Huggins, Calipari: Foes in final, friends for years - Charleston Daily Mail
Clash of the Coaching Titans - EerSports
Elite Eight opponents keep no secrets - Charleston Daily Mail
Huggins, Calipari friendship goes way back - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Huggins, Calipari meet on big stage - PPG
West Virginia Notebook: Butler's right hand fine - PPG
Butler: Hand injury not a problem - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
notebook
Butler 'good to go' following fall - Charleston Daily Mail
WVU notebook: Butler hand injury not a concern - Charleston Gazette
We’re Casting Our Vote For WVU’s Butler - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
West Virginia’s Mazzulla Puts Struggles Behind Him - NY Times
Mazzulla Responds - BGN
Includes video
Mazzulla, going solo at point guard, pushes WVU - Charleston Daily Mail
Player Video Interviews - WVIllustrated.com
WVU banks on Devin's defense - Charleston Daily Mail
Deniz Kilicli (Flip Video) - MSNsportsNET.Com
Kevin Jones (Flip Video) - MSNsportsNET.Com
WVU's smiling aggressor - Charleston Gazette
Around the League (and Beyond):
His new Kentucky home - Charleston Gazette
NCAA notebook: Patterson to face WVU for Final four berth - Charleston Daily Mail
Fouls cut into Cousins' numbers - Charleston Gazette
Tennessee ousts Ohio State for school's first regional final appearance - ESPN
76 - 73
Michigan State ends UNI's tourney run, advances to Midwest final - ESPN
59 - 52
Singler, Scheyer shoot Blue Devils past pesky Purdue - ESPN
70 - 57
Baylor reaches round of eight less than seven years after tragedy - ESPN
72 - 49 over Saint Mary's
Forget 'Hoosiers'; these 'Dogs are for real - Indianapolis Star
Tantrums Drown Out Martin's Warm Story -- NCAABB FanHouse
Sleeping With Our Best Friend: Back For Sloppy Seconds With Butler! - Casual Hoya
The Onuaku Effect - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Take Wes' Words With A Few Million Grains Of Salt - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Seton Hall confirms junior forward Jeff Robinson entered his name into NBA Draft - Star Ledger
Former star Peyton eager to make most of second chance - Tampa Tribune
At first practice, Kelly unleashes culture shock on Irish - South Bend Tribune
What's On Tap:
NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on CBS
East Region Final
#2 West Virginia Mountaineers vs. #1 Kentucky Wildcats - ESPN
7:05 pm EDT from the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY. Kentucky is giving 3.5.
West Region Final
#5 Butler Bulldogs vs. #2 Kansas State Wildcats - ESPN
4:30 pm EDT from EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, UT. KState is giving 2.5.
Video of Interest:
Being that this is the Regional Finals, I thought this one was appropriate
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Jessica Burciaga Gallery of the Week:
Here's one from one of our own Hump Day Bracket Sweetest Sixteen members.
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is an Israeli model and actress who has been gracing the pages of SI's Swimsuit Issue the last couple years. Here's Esti Ginzburg (pic leads to thumbnail gallery).
Syracuse Pale Ale image via middleagesbrewing.com