The Shotgun/Throwdown: Friday (4/1/11) Edition

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 Coca-Cola, because we here at the Musket are turning over a new leaf and giving up alcohol.

Spring practice rolls on and the expectations on the new offense are no less than lofty.  My excitement is through the roof, but am trying to at least temper those expectations a bit.  Don't get me wrong, I believe in the new coaches and system.  I just think it would do us all some good to simply be prepared for some growing pains, that's all.  Enjoy your weekend everyone!!

What You May Have Missed:

WVU stops rolling in money, is sorry for bad communication - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza

Huggins critical of WVU's offense - Martinsburg Journal
Mickey's Column

The Future Looks Bright for the Mountaineers - WVillustrated.com
Coach Carey has brought in one of his best rated recruiting classes

Former WVU Receiver Jock Sanders' NFL Draft Profile - WVillustrated.com

Former WVU Linebacker J.T. Thomas' NFL Draft Profile - WVillustrated.com

News of Note:

A Spring of Change - MSNsportsNET.Com
Jed Drenning breaks down the many changes facing the Mountaineers this spring

Defensive Spring Position Battles - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Falkenstein breaks down the defensive side of the ball a bit

Early odds on defensive player of the year - Big East Blog - ESPN
He, like many others, likes BRUUUUUUUCE

Fresh Start Brings Optimism Back to Mountaineer Field - WVillustrated.com

Transition to Holgorsen’s offense won’t take long - Daily Athenaeum

A Work In Progress - WVMETRONEWS.COM
A look at the OL with Coach Bill Bedenbaugh.  Article and video interview.

Is West Virginia’s Offense About To Explode? - College Football News
We all hope so, but, I am prepared for some growing pains

WVU football: Receivers will see more passes thrown their way - Charleston Daily Mail

Coach expects WRs to make run at 100 - Charleston Gazette
Single-season record of 77 catches likely to be eclipsed in new pass-oriented offense

Assistant Coach Daron Roberts - Mountaineer TV
New West Virginia University football assistant coach Daron Roberts talks to media after Wednesday's practice.

Recruiting:

Huggins Still Focused On Recruits - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Article and audio interview with Huggs

Around the League (and Beyond):

Big Stage Portrays UConn Coach Jim Calhoun's Extremes - Hartford Courant
Not sure if I'm rooting for them or not.   Probably against UK, but that's my limit.

Pitino the highest paid coach in the 2011 NCAA Tournament - Card Chronicle

Cronin, UC negotiating - Cincinnati Enquirer

Shut This Down: Rob Murphy A Candidate For Kent State Job - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician

St. John's basketball - all stars, Mike Dunlap update, recruiting update - Rumble In The Garden

Big East Football Updates - VUhoops.com
An update on the possible jump to FBS for 'Nova

USF Football Spring Depth Chart Revealed: Thoughts And Observations - Voodoo Five

Rutgers' De'Antwan Williams determined to make another push with Scarlet Knights - Star Ledger

Pitt's Jackson bids for starting cornerback job - PPG

What's On Tap:

2011 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament Final Four

(11) Virginia Commonwealth Rams vs. (8) Butler Bulldogs - ESPN
6:09 EDT Saturday from Reliant Stadium in Houston on CBS

(4) Kentucky Wildcats vs. (3) Connecticut Huskies - ESPN
Approx. 8:49 EDT Saturday from Reliant Stadium in Houston on CBS

Video of Interest:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is a British lingerie model.  There's just something about the Brit models...  Here's today's gallery of Lauren Budd (click on her picture) and video to get you through the weekend.

Coca-Cola image via blog.mindblizzard.com