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 Hirter Privat Pils.
Huggs and the men have been camping out in Cinci since leaving Louisville and, as expected, the Queen City's focus is on him returning once again. As far as the team itself, bench depth is obviously an ongoing concern on this road swing. Aside from the basketball news, there's more recruiting news to peruse inside, as well as your weekend Big East basketball viewing guide.
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What You May Have Missed:
WVU women to face toughest test yet vs. No. 12 DePaul - Daily Athenaeum
Injured Ali likely won’t practice for rest of season
Exclusive One-on-One Interview with Bob Huggins - WVillustrated.com
WVU Men's Basketball Team Report: 1/27 - WVillustrated.com
'Eer to Ear 1/27 - WVillustrated.com
NCAA College Basketball Power Rankings - ESPN
Still receiving votes here
College Hoops Power Rankings - Luke Winn - SI.com
...but not here
Players give back - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Dozen WVU gridders attend 15th Annual Steak and Burger Dinner
Trying to figure out what Stew will do - Charleston Gazette
The Devine Approval - WVMETRONEWS.COM
News of Note:
Huggins: Returning to Cincy still special - Cincinnati Enquirer
Coach's return stirs memories - Cincinnati Enquirer
Huggins coaches up WVU men - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column
'Secret weapon?' - Charleston Gazette
Mazzulla's scoring is silver lining of tough loss to Louisville
WVU basketball: Bryant, Jones need to step up - Charleston Daily Mail
Foul trouble could further trouble WVU - Daily Athenaeum
WVU must rebound from loss - Daily Athenaeum
From the Cheap Seats: A Fan's Perspective - WVillustrated.com
Cam Thoroughman Feature - Mountaineer TV
Mountaineer Jammin' feature on senior forward Cam Thoroughman.
Louisville 55, West Virginia 54 - Card Chronicle
I still can't figure out why these guys don't use a "jump" divider on their stories to lessen the clutter on their front page...EVER
Recruiting:
SNY Feature on West Virginia-Bound Jabarie Hinds - ZagsBlog.com
Video
LaQuentin Smith, Roderick Ryles liked Pitt, off to West Virginia this weekend - Orlando Sentinel
This is just a story on their visits, don't jump the gun just yet
LaQuentin Smith Visits Backyard Brawl's Other Half - WVillustrated.com
St. Edward offensive lineman Brandon Jackson selects West Virginia - Cleveland Plain Dealer
Same article from the recruiting post yesterday
Buie On Board - WVMETRONEWS.COM
247Sports' Top 100 Recruits - SI.com
Top-ranked kickers only three-star recruits on National Signing Day - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
A Who's Who of What Ifs? - MSNsportsNET.Com
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big East's dominance could impact seeding for NCAA tournament - Star Ledger
Booster-ADs forge tricky relationships - ESPN
The scorpion and the frog, a UConn fable - The UConn Blog
UConn men: Walker takes adjustments in stride - Journal Inquirer
Bulls get flashy in Big East win - Tampa Tribune
Syracuse vs. Marquette: Panic In Milwaukee - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Pitt's Wanamaker nears milestone - PPG
Providence Throws Up On Villanova: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - The Nova Blog
New deal on horizon for Louisville football coach Charlie Strong - Courier-Journal
Rutgers could land its biggest recruit in St. Peter's star Savon Huggins - Star Ledger
Central Florida Thinks South Florida Is Trying to Block Its Path to Big East - NCAAFB FanHouse
Texas A&M Bolting to the SEC Is Just a Matter of Time - NCAAFB FanHouse
Nebraska Cornhuskers end licensing deal with Taylor Martinez's father - ESPN
How was this not an NCAA violation?
What's On Tap:
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats - ESPN
8:00 Saturday night from 17/32 Arena on the BE Network (includes FSN Pitt, MASN, SNY and others) and ESPN3
(8) West Virginia Mountaineers vs. (17) DePaul Blue Demons - ESPN
4:00 Sunday from McGrath Arena on ESPNU
(19) Louisville Cardinals vs. (5) Connecticut Huskies - ESPN
Noon Saturday from Gampel Pavilion on MASN, SNY and ESPN3
(20) Georgetown Hoyas vs. (7) Villanova Wildcats - ESPN
Noon Saturday from the Pavilion on ESPN
(10) Syracuse Orange vs. Marquette Golden Eagles - ESPN
3:00 Saturday from the Brad on ESPNU
(2) Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights - ESPN
8:00 Saturday night from the LBAC on ESPN2
Videos of Interest:
Videos of (Dis)Interest:
Some of you may have wondered why I put the phrase "sophomoric humor" at the top of this post everyday...wonder no more:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is SI Swimsuit model Julie Henderson. Click on her picture for today's gallery.
Hirter Privat Pils image via glunzbeers.com