Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Flying Dog's K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale.
What You May Have Missed:
Q&A: Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby Part I - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
After an eventful 2014 football season, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby recently conducted a lengthy phone interview with ESPN.com to discuss the state of the Big 12, the controversial co-champions rule and the possibility of expansion.
West Virginia Powers Past K-State - WVU Athletics
WVU women's basketball used a strong second half run to beat K-State.
Morton’s shots, Montgomery’s blocks lift West Virginia women past K-State - WV MetroNews
The Mountaineers rallied from a halftime deficit to win 63-51 at the WVU Coliseum.
VIDEO INTERVIEWS: WVU Women's Postgame Interviews - WVillustrated
Watch full video interviews of West Virginia Women's Coach Mike Carey and his players following the Mountaineers' 53-51 win over Kansas.
West Virginia Student Athlete Spotlight: Averee Fields - Big 12 Conference
As West Virginia University senior Averee Fields grew up, significant values were instilled throughout her life, and she couldn’t have asked for a greater gift.
Holmes Named to Wooden Midseason Top 20 List - WVU Athletics
West Virginia University junior guard Bria Holmes was named to the John R. Wood Award Women’s Basketball Midseason Top 20 list, as announced by the organization today.
Furfari: Tim Kearney was tall talent in WVU early '80s seasons - Register Herald
Tim Kearney, of Falls Church, Va., was huge at 6-foot-11 and 226 pounds coming out of high school in 1979.
News of Note:
Ticket sales strong for Mountaineer men - Exponent Telegram
“I anticipate by the way we’re trending on advance ticket sales that we will have some of our largest crowds of the year in the last two months of the season here,” Wells said.
No. 18 WVU has underutilized bench players - Daily Athenaeum
Huggins has managed to give the first five off the bench fairly equal playing time, but perhaps that isn’t enough.
Iron sharpens iron in the Big 12 - Daily Athenaeum
In one league, just classifying it as a grind may be an understatement. That league is the Big 12.
Paying college athletes isn’t going to be easy - Charleston Gazette
Cleaning out a crowded notebook and a cluttered mind
Field of 68: Kentucky, Virginia, Gonzaga, Duke grab No. 1 seeds - Sporting News (autoplay)
No. 4 seeds: Wichita State (MVC), West Virginia, VCU (Atlantic 10), North Carolina
Olson Award Mid-Season Watch List - WVU Athletics
Juwan Staten 6-1 Sr. West Virginia
ESPN's Kiper: Kevin White "Guaranteed" a Top 15 NFL Pick - WVillustrated
NFL Mock Draft season is upon us and the ESPN expert says WVU's top receiver is one of the best three available to pro scouts.
West Virginia returns several players with big potential - Daily Athenaeum
As the West Virginia football team continues to ease into the offseason, here’s a list of four potential candidates to produce breakout seasons in 2015 for the Mountaineers.
Recruiting:
New signing date will benefit recruiting - Charleston Daily Mail
“I think it’s functional, I think it’s an appropriate date,” said West Virginia’s Ryan Dorchester, the director of player personnel who oversees recruiting. “It’s what I always had in my head when I heard suggestions.”
Callaway sets West Virginia visit - EerSports
Wide receiver Antonio Callaway (Miami/Booker T. Washington) will officially visit West Virginia this weekend, per his coach Tim Harris, Jr.
Four-Star RB Down to Three Schools - EerSports
Pearl Cohn (TN) running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn took to Twitter this evening to announce that he has trimmed his list to three schools - Illinois, Purdue and West Virginia.
Hammond picks up a West Virginia offer - EerSports
Wide receiver Joshua Hammond (Hallandale, Fla.) took to Twitter indicating a verbal offer from West Virginia.
Scout Spotlight: Rocky Reid - Scout
Check out this exclusive video interview of running back Rocky Reid in this Scout Spotlight.
Pro News:
Todd Bowles: Geno Smith 'a great college quarterback' - NFL.com
The New York Jets introduced new general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles on Wednesday. The former Cardinals DC, Bowles spoke about Geno Smith and how the defense will operate.
Geno Smith still has a chance in New York - WVUPros
Many are already counting Geno Smith out of the quarterback conversation in New York now that his No. 1 supporter and former Jets general manager John Idzik has gotten the ax.
John Polonius itching to work his way to the majors - WVUPros
"My time at West Virginia helped me develop my baseball skills physically and mentally," he noted.
Where Are They Now Wednesday: Fred Smalls - WVUPros
In 1982 Fred Smalls also found his way to West Viginia after taking quite the unorthodox route to Morgantown.
Jarrod West is enjoying coaching as a "West Virginia boy" - WVUPros
Nowadays, however, West can be found coaching at Notre Dame high school in Clarksburg, WV.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Baylor played an NAIA school because they wanted to film another 'Coach Carter' movie - SBNation.com
Once again, Nader saves the day - Cyclone Fanatic
Did Bill Self Fix Cliff Alexander? - Rock Chalk Talk
Wildcats need someone else to step up besides Foster - Topeka Capital Journal
Oklahoma basketball notebook: Early shooting propels KU over Sooners - Oklahoman (autoplay)
Pokes dismantle Texas Tech 63-43 - Cowboys Ride For Free
LHN now airing on DIRECTV - Burnt Orange Nation
Competitiveness has TCU sophomore in starting lineup - Star Telegram
Red Raider Gridiron: Details Released on Hiring of David Gibbs and Zac Spavital - Viva The Matadors
#DearAndy: Which teams are poised for a preseason rankings bump? - SI.com
Video of Interest:
Sophomore gymnast Brooklyn Doggette spoke with host Amanda Mazey about her family ties to WVU last week. In addition, pole vaulter Katlyn Shelar discussed her impressive start to the indoor season.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a Seattle native. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Alysson Holt.