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 Black Sheep Ale, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown, our black uniforms and our appearance in the Final Four.
It just keeps getting better and better. I used the term "black sheep" not because of my opinion, but the seemingly national opinion (see THIS FanShot). I have a feeling this is going to be a fun week of coverage. I love the tips, suggestions and requests. Don't forget to VOTE. Exotic Eight voting ends tonight at 8 EDT with the Fantasized Four revealed sometime after 9 pm EDT. Let's jump in...
What You May Have Missed:
Indianapolis’ Far-Fetched Foursome - SI.com
Duke, Michigan State, Butler, West Virginia make up gritty Final Four - Seth Davis - SI.com
A great tournament culminates with four unique teams - ESPN
Something For Everyone At 2010 Final - NCAABB FanHouse
A Sense of Purpose - MSNsportsNET.Com
Photo Gallery IV: West Virginia - Kentucky - BGN
West Virginia 73, Kentucky 66 - East Regional, Syracuse, N.Y. - Photos - SI.com
This photo and the 2 following are WVU.
East Regional Championship Celebration - BGN
Video links
WVU fans greet team on return - Charleston Daily Mail
Sights And Sounds: Coliseum Craziness - WVMetroNews
Video
WVU national semifinal tickets available - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register (AP)
Upstarts like Louisville eliminated many of the favored - 03.23.59 - SI Vault
Article from the SI vault of WVU's last Final Four appearance
I couldn't resist posting this after it was emailed to me:
News of Note:
Almost Heaven, Indeed - WVIllustrated.com
Familiar faces join upstarts in Final Four - Tampa Tribune
Huggs’ lofty goal still alive - Register-Herald (AP)
Huggins close to bringing title home - FOX Sports on MSN
WVU basketball coach Bob Huggins has John Calipari under his thumb - Courier-Journal
Includes a video of Huggs post-game
Final Four nice but it's not enough - Charleston Gazette
WVU sports at new level of excellence - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column
Country Roads Lead to the Final Four for West Virginia! - EerSports
Butler: WVU's style wore down Wildcats - Charleston Gazette
Mazzulla leads WVU to spot in Final Four - Charleston Daily Mail
Mazzulla's play key ingredient; Healthy guard a reason Mountaineers are Indianapolis bound - PPG
Mazzulla healthy, more confident - Times West Virginian
Mickey's Column
WVU's Mazzulla leads the way - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Jonnie West wants to win one for Jerry - Charleston Daily Mail
Casazza's Notebook
Even a WVU legend worries about 'bad luck' - Charleston Daily Mail
Former player recalls WVU 1959 championship game - Charleston Daily Mail
Bryant says special shoe may allow him to play - Charleston Gazette
Running with the Devils - Times West Virginian
WVU upset Duke in ’08 tournament - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Dickie V's Final Four Players To Watch - ESPN Video
Mountaineer nation spans the Web - Times West Virginian
Football:
Eagles To Workout OT Capers - Scout.com
Spring Analysis Blog - West Virginia's QBs - Scout.com
Around the League (and Beyond):
Kentucky basketball's first-round talent suffered a fourth-round flameout - Courier-Journal
John Clay: What will Calipari do for an encore? - Lexington Herald Leader
Re-stock with questionable recruiting and lose in the 3rd round next year maybe?
Kevin Willard will 'come in with a plan' as Seton Hall's new head coach - Star Ledger
Mason emerges as impact LB for Panthers - PPG
Syracuse University's football defense in a word: Attack - Post Standard
‘Circle' drill shapes Cards' mind-set - Courier-Journal
Permanent move to center a 'relief' for Rutgers' Howard Barbieri - Star Ledger
Videos of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
This never gets old...
NCAA Analysis of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a model from the UK and has been featured in a certain "bunny mag" (UK edition). I had to dig a bit for a SFW galley. Here's Gemma Massey.
Black Sheep Ale image via www.crewelimelight.co.uk