Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Chernigivske, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.
Well, for the first time in the building's history, the WVU Coliseum will host a battle of top ten teams. It should be fun to watch. The national media will definitely be paying attention, so if you're going, make it loud and hopefully Huggs and the boys will make it memorable. The women have their Backyard Brawl on Sunday as well. Plenty of news all around, so strap yourselves in. Keep the tips, suggestions and requests coming. Have a great weekend and as always:
LET'S GOOOOOOOOO...
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Report for Friday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
NCAA College Basketball Power Rankings - ESPN
SBNation's College Hoops Power 16: Kansas, Purdue Take The Tumble - SB Nation
#11 in this one
NCAA basketball Power Rankings - Luke Winn - SI.com
We've dropped to 12 here. ( Winn's coming to Motown for the first time this weekend, BTW).
WVU due first check from Rich Rodriguez - Charleston Daily Mail
College Basketball Mailbag - Seth Davis - SI.com
News of Note:
Battle of Top 10 Teams - MSNsportsNET.Com
Syracuse-WVU clash to make history - Charleston Gazette
Top 10 matchup at home a rare sight - Times West Virginian
Syracuse-West Virginia still a main event in weekend hoops - USATODAY.com
Huggins "Scared to Death" - WVIllustrated.com
Huggins Demands More of Mountaineers -- NCAABB FanHouse
New formula clicks for Mountaineers - Charleston Daily Mail
PGs Mazzula, Bryant sharing floor in latest lineup shuffle - Charleston Gazette
All-out play of Mazzulla provides boost - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column
Devine, Sanders returning to WVU - Charleston Gazette
Small Guys, Big Decision For WVU - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Recruiting:
Markeith Ambles Considering WVU - WVIllustrated.com
On the Recruiting Trail: Jan. 14 - EerSports
"The latest on WVU recruits and prospects Bruce Irvin, Nickell Robey, Ivan McCartney and more."
Homeschool players fighting for access to public school teams - SI.com
Pershing Mason finds refuge with homeschool football team - SI.com
Around the League (and Beyond):
Seton Hall falls on the road to Georgetown, 85-73 - Star Ledger
Rick Pitino tells Cards better passing is the key to improved shooting - Courier-Journal
Panthers once again the talk of the Big East - PPG
Pitt game suddenly enormous for U of L - Card Chronicle
Gritty Panthers are all Pittsburgh - ESPN
New York legend Lance Stephenson growing up quickly at Cincinnati - SI.com
Skip Holtz to lead Bulls forward - Tampa Tribune
Hiring of Holtz sets a new tone for USF - Tampa Tribune
Holtz's USF contract worth $9.1 million over 5 years - Tampa Tribune
Dollar and incentive breakdown inside.
TCU coach says he hasn’t heard from Tennessee - Star-Telegram.com
Duke Blue Devils' David Cutcliffe out of running for Tennessee Volunteers job - ESPN
Norm Chows rebuffs USC, stays at UCLA - SI.com
Marshall to Open 2010 Football Season in Prime Time at Ohio State - WVMETRONEWS.COM
So they get embarrassed on national TV...what's the positive in this?
What's On Tap:
Syracuse vs. West Virginia - SI.com
Noon Saturday from the Coliseum on ESPN.
Louisville vs. Pittsburgh - SI.com
Noon Saturday from the PEC on ESPN360.
Georgetown vs. Villanova - SI.com
Noon Sunday from the Wachovia Center in Philly on MASN and ESPN360.
Connecticut vs. Michigan - SI.com
1:30 Sunday from Crisler Arena on CBS.
WVU Women vs. Pitt - Sunday 4 pm from the PEC on ESPNU (no link available)
Video of Interest:
Here's a new one:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Thanks to Jimmy Traina at Hot Clicks for an abundance of content this week.
Pajama Party Gallery of the Week:
via coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is an actress best known for her role as Jackie on That 70's Show, the voice of Meg on The Family Guy and the film Forgetting Sarah Marshall. She can also be seen in the upcoming Book Of Eli. She was on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson earlier this week and was absolutely adorable. Born in the former Soviet Union (now Ukraine), here's the always lovely Mila Kunis.
Chernigivske image via lh6.ggpht.com