The Shotgun/Throwdown: Christmas Eve (12/24/11) Edtion

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 Shepherd Neame's Christmas Ale.

Tough loss last night, but to be completely honest...it was a much better showing than even I with my Gold and Blue glasses expected. But, there is no such thing as a moral victory. We have the fallout coverage of last night's OT loss to Baylor to go with a couple other tidbits and a good bit of Holiday cheer.

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Baylor Hangover:

Bob Huggins Discusses Overtime Loss to Baylor - WVillustrated
WVU Head Coach Bob Huggins met with the media following West Virginia's 83-81 overtime loss to Baylor in the Las Vegas Classic.

Pierre Jackson helps Baylor slip past West Virginia in OT - ESPN
Recap, stats, photos, video, etc

Baylor 83, West Virginia 81 - MSNsportsNET.Com
Pierre Jackson scored 23 points and Brady Heslip added 19 to lead sixth-ranked Baylor to an 83-81 overtime victory over West Virginia Friday night in the final game of the Las Vegas Classic in Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

#6 Baylor Bests WVU in OT - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Recap includes Post-game audio from Huggs

WVU vs. Baylor Game Recap - WVillustrated
For the second-consecutive night, it took overtime to decide a West Virginia basketball game. But, this time the Mountaineers fell short.

Snake eyes in Vegas - Charleston Gazette
Mountaineers fall short in OT vs. No. 6 Baylor

Trumped - BGN
West Virginia played its hand about as well as could be expected. But No. 6 Baylor had the effort and experience trump cards in an 83-81 overtime win to capture the Las Vegas Classic title Friday.

Dominique Rutledge Strong Off Bench in WVU Loss - WVillustrated
West Virginia was looking for a hero Friday night and almost found one in the unlikeliest of places.

WVU Player Interviews Following Overtime Loss to Baylor - WVillustrated
Truck, KJ, Hinds and Rutledge

What You May Have Missed:

The Bob Huggins Show - WVillustrated
Watch this week's episode of The Bob Huggins Show in its entirety here on WVi!

Jones, Bryant now WVU cornerstones - Times West Virginian
This is their last year at West Virginia, both having stayed four years, experienced a run to the NCAA Final Four, played with the likes of Da’Sean Butler and Joe Mazzulla, and now are the only real links to the great past.

Mountaineer women look to keep ‘attitude’ - Times West Virginian
West Virginia University women’s basketball coach Mike Carey wants to see his team display some "attitude" when the season resumes with Bucknell’s visit to the Coliseum at noon on Wednesday.

Devin Ebanks Named Starter For the Lakers - WVU Pros

What Terrible Bowl Game Are Notre Dame & USC Playing In Die Hard? - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Someone else shares my love for this underrated Christmas movie and is also perplexed by the same little detail of the movie

News of Note:

A Great QB Matchup - MSNsportsNET.Com
West Virginia’s Geno Smith and Clemson’s Tajh Boyd are two of the better quarterbacks you are going to see this bowl season. Both will be matching wits - and passes - in the 2012 Discover Orange Bowl to be played Jan. 4 in Miami Gardens, Fla.

SMITH VS. BOYD - Register-Herald
WVU quarterback prepared to go against former Mountaineer commit

Wide Receiver Tavon Austin - Mountaineer TV
Inside receiver Tavon Austin reflects on the 2011 season and talks about the Orange Bowl matchup against Clemson.

Around the League (and Beyond):

NCAA College Basketball Power Rankings - ESPN

Wagner 59, Pitt 54: Panthers Get Major Wake Up Call - Cardiac Hill
An early Christmas present

Louisville Moves To 12-0 With 70-60 Win Over Western Kentucky - Card Chronicle

Cincinnati Bearcats 95 Chicago State Cougars 60 - Down The Drive

Seton Hall Basketball: JP's 5 Thoughts- SHU 87, Longwood 61 - South Orange Juice
Huhuhuh...you said "Long Wood"

Orange Watch: A unique Boeheim "milestone" on the horizon - Juice Online

The Airing of USF Basketball Grievances, 2011 Edition - Voodoo Five
Can't believe I overlooked Festivus yesterday

What's On Tap:

The greatest holiday of the year...Merry Christmas everybody!!!!!

Video of Interest:

Far from scientific, but BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Video of (Dis)Interest:

May God Bless all of those who protect us

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is actually all of the Victoria's Secret Angels. There's a video below and, as per usual, click on the picture to see the gallery .

Shepherd Neame's Christmas Ale image via www.mylastbeer.co.uk