The Shotgun/Throwdown: Louisville Pre-Game (2/10/12) 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 Nebraska Brewing's Cardinal Pale Ale.

Big 12 baby!! Now that reports of the settlement are basically everywhere, including the Mothership, a presser and a football schedule release are basically all that remain (both are rumored and/or likely for today, but no official announcements as yet). Back on the hardwood, Louisville is coming to town and just when they seem to have figured things out, Huggs is searching for answers. All of this and more...

Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What You May Have Missed:

WVU, Big East reach agreement - Charleston Gazette
the long-anticipated 2012 Big 12 football schedule will be released today.

West Virginia & Big East Reach Settlement - Mountaineers Coming To BIG XII In 2012 - Crimson And Cream Machine
Road trip!!!! Oklahoma is about to take what I'm willing to bet is the longest road trip for a conference game in the one hundred plus years of Sooner football.

WVU Places 27 on Academic All-Star Team - WVillustrated
Big East announces 182 student-athletes who were nominated for their academic successes for 2011

WVU players huge hit at Steak & Burger Dinner - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Event raises close to $40,000 for Boys & Girls Club

Big 12 expansion: Answering questions after DeLoss Dodds speaks - Berry Tramel's Blog

News of Note:

WVU must take care of business at home - Charleston Daily Mail
"We need to take care of home," Jones said after WVU's 55-51 loss to Notre Dame on Wednesday night. "And we didn't do that."

West Virginia looks to keep tournament hopes alive against Louisville Saturday - Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia men’s basketball team is desperate for a win.

Truck shifts gears away from scoring - Charleston Gazette
He didn't try to score.

Huggins: 'I've had better days' - BGN
His team’s NCAA Tournament hopes? That depends on how the Mountaineers respond during the final weeks of the regular season.

Freshmen Falling Short At W.Virginia - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Huggins talked at length Wednesday night after the team's fourth loss in five games about a group of guys who simply just don't get it.

Huggins' freshmen have to grow up - Charleston Daily Mail
While most of the WVU followers are wondering about next year in the Big 12, Huggins is wondering about next month.

HERTZEL COLUMN: This WVU team different from previous squads - Times West Virginian
Games may be won or lost under glaring lights of a college arena, filled with faithful fans and the prying eye of the ever-present, unblinking television camera, but teams are built in a far different way.

Forsythe Warmed Up, Still Won't Play This Season - WVillustrated
Freshman Forward Pat Forsythe continues to rehab the knee injury that knocked him out for the rest of the season and will not play, despite warming up with his teammates.

Recruiting:

Macon making progress on his future at WVU - Charleston Gazette
Games like Wednesday night's loss at home to Notre Dame make it all too apparent that West Virginia could benefit from a few more talented players.

Mountaineers getting closer look at QB prospects - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia plays host to top targets from the current high school junior class this weekend with an emphasis on the quarterback position.

Around the League (and Beyond):

Big East, West Virginia Reach $20 Million Settlement, Boise State Now Has A Choice To Make - Mountain West Connection

College Hoops Power Rankings - Luke Winn - SI.com

NCAA College Basketball Power Rankings - ESPN

Louisville basketball team now getting it together - Courier-Journal

Syracuse searches for a solution to rebounding problem - Post Standard

UConn Coach Jim Calhoun To Miss Third Game - Hartford Courant

Pitt's offensive woes make an ugly return - PPG

Are You Ready For National Marquette Day? - Anonymous Eagle

23 (Or 24?) Departures and Counting - Pre-Snap Read
The Edsall-ification of Maryland football continues

NCAA proposes moving kickoffs to 35-yard line - SI.com
It would also start teams at the 25 following a touchback

What's On Tap:

(23) Louisville Cardinals vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - ESPN
Noon Saturday from the Coliseum on ESPN/ESPN3

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. (2) Notre Dame Fighting Irish - ESPN
NCAA Women's Basketball - 3:30 pm Sunday from the Joyce on ESPNU

Connecticut Huskies vs. (2) Syracuse Orange - ESPN
1 pm Saturday from the Dome on CBS

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. (19) Marquette Golden Eagles - ESPN
3 pm Saturday from the Brad on ESPNU

St. John's Red Storm vs. (11) Georgetown Hoyas - ESPN
1 pm Sunday from the Phone Booth on ESPN/ESPN3

Video of Interest:

West Virginia and the Big East Conference officially agree on a settlement and the Mountaineer basketball team prepares for Louisville to come to the Coliseum.

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is another favorite in these parts. Enjoy the double shot of videos below and today's gallery (click on the picture, also includes several bonus galleries linked) of the lovely Miss Bar Refaeli.

via www.popoholic.com

Nebraska Brewing's Cardinal Pale Ale image via www.greatbrewers.com