The Shotgun/Throwdown: Friday (5/6/11) 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 Duck-Duck-Gooze.

The spring semester is at an end at West Virginia University and as such, Mountaineer sports news has taken to a snails pace.  Today, there are bits of news from all over the place, including notes from Oliver Luck, some KJ news, a former Mountaineer in the coaching world, and some interview sessions with Coach Holgorsen.  Have a great weekend everyone!!

What You May Have Missed:

Best of both: BCS era combined standings - Rivals.com
WVU comes in at #16 (there's a link at the top of the list explaining the scoring system)

A little Luck, Big East and a jockey's mom from SA - Charleston Gazette
Vingle's Notebook - He caught up with AD Luck on a variety of topics

Handicapping the Big East race - Big East Blog - ESPN
Brian likes WVU...check out the odds he gives

WVU's Jones invited to NBA Combine - Charleston Daily Mail
We mentioned here earlier in the week that he was still waiting.  I just hope he is given legitimate, accurate, constructive feedback no matter what his ultimate decision may be.

Former WVU Basketball Star Begins New College Basketball Job - WVillustrated.com
Patrick Beilein is now working as Bradley's Director of Basketball Operations

A wonderful tribute to the ‘Voice of the Mountaineers’ - Register-Herald
Mickey's tribute to his long-time friend

News of Note:

West Virginia's Coaching - Will It Work? - College Football News
How is West Virginia's unique coaching situation working?  Will the offense explode?

Special Sit-down With WVU Off. Coordinator Dana Holgorsen - WVillustrated.com
Part I of a 4 part video series...recruiting is the focus of this segment

Special Sit-down (Part 2) with WVU Off. Coord. Dana Holgorsen - WVillustrated.com
A look back at spring practice and the Gold/Blue game

Roberts Moving Forward - MSNsportsNET.Com
Vernard Roberts continues to have the attention of the press, as well as the coaches

Recruiting:

Coaching Staff On The Road Recruiting - WVMETRONEWS.COM
"I’ve seen a lot of excitement from a lot of head coaches on the high school level in all parts of the country, but especially in Texas towards West Virginia," Roberts said. "We’re hoping that we can start building a pipeline from this state back to West Virginia." - includes audio

Paul happy to be a Mountaineer - Logan Banner
More on the basketball preferred walk-on from Logan

Around the League (and Beyond):

TV deal, not expansion, Big East's big issue - Big East Blog - ESPN

Post-Spring Analysis: South Florida - Big East Coast Bias

Spring breakout players: Cincinnati - Big East Blog - ESPN

Welcome Back Floyd Little And What This Could Mean For Syracuse Football - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician

Jamal Coombs-McSeeYaLater: UConn sophomore to transfer - The UConn Blog

Pinkston to be Reinstated June 1 - VUhoops.com

Maryland Basketball Coach Gary Williams Announces Retirement, Will Remain on as Assistant AD - Testudo Times

Reports of popular sports broadcaster Gus Johnson parting ways with CBS are premature, source says - NY Daily News
Reports of Gus John's departure from CBS Sports are premature. According to an industry source, Johnson, whose CBS contract expired after the Final Four, received a written offer from Fox earlier this week.

What's On Tap:

The annual Shotgun/Throwdown summer semi-hiatus.  I will have editions once or twice a week going forward, as news volume dictates (it's a fluid situation, some might say).

Video of Interest:

Pretty sure I've posted this before, but it's always worth watching:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Here's Conan's version of today's big movie release:

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown was somehow snubbed on Maxim's Hot 100 List (as was Candice).  She's is definitely giving Candice a run for her money as my #1.  Here's the lovely Kate Upton.  The picture links to a gallery and more videos.

Duck-Duck-Gooze image via www.ratebeer.com