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 Grand Slam Baseball Beer.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Thursday, May 23 - WV MetroNews
Randy Mazey talks about the upcoming game against Kansas, Dana Holgorsen gives an update on Mountaineer football, and Keaton Miles is transferring out of WVU.
WVU exceeds NCAA 56-game limit - WV MetroNews
The worst-case fallout, Parsons surmised, would involve WVU being docked a game or two next season.
Larceny? - BGN
I’ve said it for three months: if WVU head coach Randy Mazey isn’t named Big 12 Baseball Coach of the Year, then a crime has been committed.
News of Note:
Adverse situations challenge for Mountaineers - Charleston Daily Mail
The circumstances to precede West Virginia's first Big 12 baseball tournament seem to have come together to conspire against the Mountaineers.
Mountaineers to begin tourney play today - Inter-Mountain
"I think the change in format actually helps us," coach Randy Mazey said. "You don't go into an elimination game on Friday."
A remarkable act in the midst of a remarkable season - Charleston Gazette
Late this afternoon, at what is certainly one of the few perfectly-manicured patches of land still remaining in the Oklahoma City, Okla. area, West Virginia's baseball team will get back to the business at hand.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Big 12 baseball tournament is about America - Times West Virginian
With West Virginia University representing everything that is right in the world, the tournament will be held amid the destruction and despair of the killer tornado that ripped through “Tornado Alley,” taking lives and belongings but unable to take the spirit of the hardy brand of people who tamed our Wild West.
Dierdorff, not Musgrave, starts opener - WV MetroNews
WVU coach Randy Mazey will save his ace for Friday's Game 2 of pool play against TCU.
Regardless of postseason outcome, 2013 a success for WVU baseball - Daily Athenaeum
Although the team and West Virginia fans may be expecting to make a run in the Big 12 tournament, this season should go down as a success regardless of the Mountaineers’ play in the postseason.
Pros News:
Rams rookies Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey have something to prove - Turf Show Times
Both players know they have a big role in turning around a struggling offense.
Geno Smith "did a lot of good things" at first day of Jets OTA's - Pros Report
After one day of OTA's, it appears Smith has the upper hand, but it's still very early.
Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith not sharp early in Jets' QB battle - Sporting News
Sanchez and Smith took the majority of snaps — about 80 percent of them — on Wednesday.
Geno Smith officially signs with Jay-Z, Roc Nation Sports - Pros Report
New hire Kimbery Miale has come on and will now take over as Smith's contract agent.
Can Jay-Z remix Geno’s image? - WV MetroNews
Ex-WVU star joins newly formed Roc Nation Sports agency.
Recruiting:
William Crest recruit scouting report: The next Geno Smith? - SBNation.com
Scouting William Crest, who looks like a more filled-out Geno Smith.
Around the League (and Beyond):
How the hell do you stop Baylor? Part I: What are they doing? - Football Study Hall
Iowa State Football and Arrested Development - Wide Right & Natty Lite
Video: Hope and Concern -- Kansas - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Kansas State may have much at stake in Big 12 baseball tournament - Wichita Eagle
Sooner football teammates, coaches united again, in tragedy - Oklahoman
Marcus Smart accepts invitation to USA U19 World Training Camp - Oklahoman
Quandre Diggs replacing Kenny Vaccaro as Texas nickel back - Burnt Orange Nation
2013-14 college football bowl game TV schedule revealed here - SBNation.com
College bowl tie-ins: What if we made these games interesting? - SBNation.com
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
What's On Tap:
Big 12 Championship Preview - WVU Athletics
Mountaineers to battle the Jayhawks Thursday evening.
Video of Interest:
The Mountaineers got some practice time in on Wednesday, made a pitching decision for Thursday, and visited Norman, OK to deliver supplies to tornado victims.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
SOON:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is the brunette in the commercial below. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Emily Ratajkowski.