The Shotgun/Throwdown: Irish Hangover (2/9/12) Edition
by WVUIE97 on Feb 9, 2012 9:50 AM EST
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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 Spanish Peaks Brewing's Winter Cheer Hearty Winter Ale.
Irish Hangover. The name has the implication of a good time. Last night's result was anything but. Once again, close, but no win. 16-9 (6-6) with 6 to go, plus the BET. This team has it's work cut out for it, but it has shown it's capable. Full coverage of the loss is inside to go along with plenty of news on the "imminent" settlement. Several numbers have been tossed around, depending on who pays what and who (read: Big 12) chips in and how much. We also have the spring drills schedule for football and more...
Irish Hangover:
Notre Dame 55, West Virginia 51 - MSNsportsNET.Com
“We let the game get away from us in the first half,” said West Virginia coach Bob Huggins. “We missed shots that we’re supposed to make.”
Irish Take Down WVU - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Recap, gallery and videos
Irish treys sink WVU 55-51 - Charleston Gazette
Mountaineers lose for fourth time in five games
Late push gives Notre Dame win over WVU - Charleston Daily Mail
"Truck tried to win," West Virginia Coach Bob Huggins said. "I really believe Truck tried to win. He didn't force anything. He didn't score, but we've got the lead."
Men's Basketball: West Virginia vs. Notre Dame Game Recap - WVillustrated
For the second-consecutive game, the Mountaineers trailed by double digits at the half. But this time, they were unable to come away with a victory.
Fighting Irish edge past Mountaineers - Register-Herald
It was the fifth straight Big East victory for the Fighting Irish (16-8, 8-3), who have not allowed more than 59 points in a game during that streak.
'This One Hurts' - BGN
West Virginia wasn’t able to come back for a second straight time.
Notre Dame stops WVU, 55-51 - Times West Virginian
Irish hit three straight 3-pointers in decisive late run
Irish hand WVU 55-51 setback - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Poor first-half shooting a downfall for Mountaineers
Late second-half let down leads to West Virginia’s fourth loss in five league games - Daily Athenaeum
West Virginia had a 43-40 lead and all the momentum with 4:20 remaining.
Truck Stalled in WVU Loss - WVillustrated
Notre Dame takes senior guard out of his game, holds Bryant scoreless for first time in over a year.
HERTZEL COLUMN: It’s unfair to consider Truck villain - Times West Virginian
The zero next to Truck Bryant’s name stood out like an obscene gesture during a Super Bowl halftime show.
Notre Dame Highlights - Mountaineer TV
Highlights from West Virginia's 55-51 loss to Notre Dame Wednesday night at the WVU Coliseum.
Postgame Interviews Following the Mountaineers' Loss to Notre Dame - WVillustrated
Watch full interviews with WVU Head Coach Bob Huggins and his players following a tough loss to Notre Dame Wednesday night at the WVU Coliseum.
Video: Notre Dame Postgame - BGN
Hinds, Kilicli and KJ
VIDEO: Notre Dame Post Game - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Huggs, Hinds, KJ and Turk
Photo Gallery: WVU vs. Notre Dame - WVillustrated
Photo Gallery II: WVU vs Notre Dame - BGN
What You May Have Missed:
Gold And Blue Now: Thursday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Mountaineer basketball team experiences another tough loss, WVU and the Big East are close to settling its lawsuit and one of the newest Mountaineers receives a high honor in the state of Texas
Mountaineers have a lot to gain from matchup with No. 2 Notre Dame - Daily Athenaeum
As of right now, head coach Mike Carey and the Mountaineers are on the bubble. I believe if the season ended right now, West Virginia would most likely be on the outside of the tournament looking in – but just barely.
Interview with Former West Virginia Mountaineer Julian Miller. - Front Office
The defensive lineman out of Columbus, Ohio (Beechcroft High School) was an intricate piece in the Mountaineers success over the past four seasons.
Haering staying at home - Martinsburg Journal
Chryst hired Haering to coach the Panthers' linebackers.
Childress Named Ford Tough Player of the Year - WVMETRONEWS.COM
How appropriate
News of Note:
WVU, Big East near resolution - PPG
Cash settlement of $11 million reported that would allow West Virginia to join Big 12
WVU primed for $11 million Big East cash payment - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia University is moving fast toward resolving its legal issues with the Big East Conference and joining the Big 12.
WVU willing to pay Big East $11 million - Charleston Gazette
But a source close to the situation told the Gazette late Wednesday that "things are still very fluid."
Tracking the news, watching the fall - Charleston Gazette
One report had WVU offering $11 million to settle litigation. The Gazette confirmed that's what the school is willing to pay. One report had the Big East set to accept $20 million. That might be the final number when the Big 12 pitches in.
Big East mostly about basketball - Charleston Daily Mail
He did say, when asked about any money WVU was going to pay, that "none of it is going to be state money."
WVU expected to add men's golf - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia University is literally ready to tee it up in the Big 12 Conference.
WVU-Big East legal questions answered - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
They try to break it down in layman's terms
Vote: Grade John Marinatto - Big East Blog - ESPN
Any guesses on the trend (before you vote)?
Recruiting:
Rondae Jefferson breaks down Big East options - Five-Star Basketball
Around the League (and Beyond):
Syracuse 64 - Georgetown 61: The Canadian Went Bakin' - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
St. John's loses, 76-54 to Cincinnati - Rumble In The Garden
Pitt Embarrassingly Flat in Loss To USF - Cardiac Hill
UConn Proposes Own Penalties To NCAA Over APR Failures - Hartford Courant
Louisville's Wayne Blackshear could make debut Feb. 18 - Courier-Journal
What's On Tap:
Football: Spring Practice Schedule Set - MSNsportsNET.Com
The Mountaineers will start on Sunday, March 11, and will hold 15 practices, including the annual Gold-Blue Spring Game on Saturday, April 21.
Video of Interest:
Freshman Gary Browne has made an immediate impact at WVU at the point guard position. This week's Wearing the Jersey takes a look at how Browne arrived at WVU and how he's found success under Coach Huggins.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
It's almost that time...(Moderate Strong Language)
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is MMA ring-girl Kelli Hutcherson. Click on her picture for today's gallery.
Spanish Peaks Brewing's Winter Cheer Hearty Winter Ale image via www.bruguru.com
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anyone else find themselves watching this bball team...
and just waiting for them to find a way to screw it all up?
Play really good for 38 minutes, then decide to leave guys WIDE THE HELL OPEN for 3 straight 3’s… KJ deserves Player of the Year for simply getting this team this far…
I'm perplexed by this team.
I thought after the Cincinnati game we were really improving. Since then, we’ve been flat, unfocused, and have executed poorly. Guys like Keaton Miles and Aaron Brown (who I expected to improve and start contributing) have gone into shells. Truck has been even more inconsistent (not even sure how that’s possible, but 32 points against PC followed by 0 against ND proves that it is). We better figure something out, and fast.
www.smokingmusket.com
@CountryRoadsWV
by Country Roads on Feb 9, 2012 10:48 AM EST up reply actions
We are not playing very good...but I think we have talent
Freshman are going into shells because they get blasted and yanked off the court everytime they make a mistake. They are not allowed to play through the mistakes so at the end of games when they have to make decisions on their own on the fly they are unable to. By the end of the game, they just don’t want to make the big mistake. Truck jacks ups shots that starts the other teams fast break and doesn’t allow us to set our defense (nevermind the turnovers that also end up being layups). This kills us every game and he never gets pulled but the bull misses one rebound and he is yanked. I don’t know why Truck has no leash. What is our identity as a team? Why against a team (ND) that we are faster than and bigger than we use neither to our advantage? We played right into their game. Sometimes our O runs through the post, sometimes we race down the court and jack up a three. Every team needs an identity/philosophy, we don’t seem to have one. ND is going to slow it down, Missou is going to speed it up, Duke is going to live and die with the three pointers. What are we? We have the talent, especially in the post, we should be better than this. Any thoughts?
She never was a very good athlete, but I'd love to see her box.
Another frustrating aspect of this team is that it’s limited. It’s limited in how far it can possibly advance because of free throw shooting. Granted we got the offensive rebound but Browne missed 2 CRITICAL free throws and he’s not the only one, for sure. I would foul the Turk every time he touches the ball, rotate bigs, and take chances w/ him at the line.
Bryant is digressing, Aaron Brown is REALLY digressing and Hinds is really improving. Aaron Brown would often come into games and hit key 3 pointers and I haven’t heard from him since this streak of bad started.
Feed the post
If you want A. Bronwe to make shots, he needs to be wide open, he struggles creating his own shot. If we started feeding the post everytime down the floor (except fast break opportunities) the defense would have to start crashing down leaving our shooters wide open. If they don’t crash down I like our chances with the bull or KJ one on one with anybody. Did you see who was guarding KJ last night? Scot Martin, ever heard of him, he gives up 40 pounds and an inch or two in height. We have 2 good big men, we must use them. I have no problems with 3 pointers and kids are going to miss sometimes as long as the offense has run through the post. This leaves them in position to get offensive rebounds which is one of our strengths especially KJ (best o rebounder in the country). In the end, this team is terribly frustrating to watch win or lose.
She never was a very good athlete, but I'd love to see her box.
by each it pitt on Feb 9, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
Anal-yst
Truck gets leeway because Huggs now knows no matter what he says, it won’t work. If it hasn’t worked by now, and he is still doing the same dribble-drive-jack up a shot as he did his freshman year, then why pull him and yell at him. On hopes that he does that to the others so that they learn. Yet, apart from Deniz and KJ, Truck is the only one who doesn’t look like a deer in the headlights when the game is on the line. I think that is why he stays in. Jabarie is great but dribbles out of control into the lane, much like a freshman Truck. And he apparently doesn’t listen to Huggs gameplan, because on the last offensive set he lined up on the wrong side of the court, wasting time.
Fact of the matter is, to me, KJ doesn’t get enough touches. If they were able to throw the ball to Deniz all game, why couldn’t they get the ball to the best player on the team? I know there was strategy behind it (presumeably), but even the announcer way saying that KJ is left to get his, all alone. We should be riding KJ every game until he stops himself. We would have an identity if the freshmen would throw him the ball!
by SilverSpring'Eer on Feb 9, 2012 12:18 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I agree with you on feeding the post.
Do you think having kids on the floor that are not following the game plan and do what they want no matter what is a Huggs issue then?
She never was a very good athlete, but I'd love to see her box.
by each it pitt on Feb 9, 2012 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
Huggs v. Belein
I think it is a recruiting issue. Look back at Belein’s recruits. He got really smart kids, including Da’ Butler. Then you bring in Huggs, who requires a strong work ethic but not a strong IQ. Matching those two gave WVU a elite-8 and Final Four run. I am just not sure Huggs can recruit both athletic and smart, primarily because of his coaching style. I see KJ as an anomoly to my theory…
by SilverSpring'Eer on Feb 9, 2012 12:41 PM EST reply actions
correction
Scratch the elite-8 run under Huggins, it was a sweet-16 in Hugg’s first year (2007-08). But I think the general idea still holds.
by SilverSpring'Eer on Feb 9, 2012 12:46 PM EST up reply actions
I get your point, but I'm going to disagree.
We don’t make that Final Four without KJ and Ebanks, both Huggs recruits. Granted, we don’t make it without Da’Sean and Mazzulla either.
www.smokingmusket.com
@CountryRoadsWV
by Country Roads on Feb 9, 2012 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
I don't agree or disagree
with your point on recruiting, my question is if your players arn’t listening to you when they are playing and you can do nothing about it, is that a coaching issue? It doesn’t matter who’s recruits they are, they should listen and follow the coach’s game plan, correct?
She never was a very good athlete, but I'd love to see her box.
Maybe
Strictly speaking, yes, I would say that if your players are not responding to directives, it is then the coach’s responsibility to play those who do. But, expanding from your question a bit, it is the coach’s decision to play those who he/she thinks gives the team the best chance to win. If Huggins is playing kids who don’t respond, I presume he thinks that those players, even amidst their inability to follow directions, give WVU a better chance of winning than other players who may be more able to follow the designed play but are less athletic.
by SilverSpring'Eer on Feb 9, 2012 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
A donkey won't win the derby
I agree, I think he is playing Truck because it gives us the best chance to win. However, we are 1 and 4 in the last five and if we are not going to play well and win, I would rather have freshman learning the system, playing through adversity then watching Truck do the same thing he has done for 4 years. Maybe the freshman, then sophmores next year will be more prepared to play when we travel to Lawerence, Kansas.
As far as your IQ comment, what about his coaching style doesn’t attract smart kids to the program? I don’t believe Huggs recruits players that are too dumb to listen and learn his system.
She never was a very good athlete, but I'd love to see her box.
^ Nice Headline
I agree with you regarding increasing playing time for younger players if the losses continue. But they are still likely to get a spot in the Dance if they can scrap out a few more wins, so I see that approach as unlikely.
I didn’t mean to imply that the schemes were too difficult to learn, only that Hugg’s communicates by screaming, which — I think — contributes to him getting the type of players that he gets.
by SilverSpring'Eer on Feb 9, 2012 3:17 PM EST up reply actions
More Info.
They don’t understand the system, they don’t understand what all goes into doing what it takes to succeed, and, he said, they don’t understand what it means to put on the jersey and represent West Virginia.
‘’Maybe I’m too much this way, but I know how much this means to our people,‘’ he said. ’’I know how much this means to the people in the state of West Virginia. And it’s not that you don’t lose, but my God, I mean, if the ball’s on the floor, dive on it. You’re not going to get hurt. Listen, if you haven’t made a shot in three weeks, maybe you ought to get in the gym. Maybe you ought to get in the gym on your own. We’re only allowed to practice so much time.
’’Let’s be honest, we’ve got guys that have made 4-5 shots the last three weeks – some of them have made 4-5 for the year – and they’re jacking 3s. You didn’t see John Flowers do that. I just don’t know what goes through their heads sometimes.’’
~ Huggins
by SilverSpring'Eer on Feb 10, 2012 10:05 AM EST up reply actions
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