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 Snoqualmie WIld Cat IPA, in preparation for tonight's opponent.
Big East play for the men opens up tonight with the Villanova Wildcats coming to town. We have previews galore as well as plenty of Orange Bowl notes, including a Clemson WR who could be out for the game. Plus, Caleb's WVU/NFL recap. There's that pesky lawsuit business too.
Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What You May Have Missed:
Judge refuses to dismiss Big East Conference suit against WVU - Charleston Daily Mail
A Rhode Island judge on Tuesday denied a West Virginia University motion to dismiss the Big East Conference's civil lawsuit against the school in that state, allowing a two-state legal morass to continue.
AD Luck expects all coaches to be back - Register-Herald
"No, I don’t have any plans," Casteel replied. "I am under contract through 2012."
HERTZEL COLUMN: Bowls no money-maker for schools - Times West Virginian
What, pray tell, does West Virginia get out of an Orange Bowl invite? "National exposure," said Mike Parsons, Luck’s right-hand man in the athletic department. "A reward for the players for having a great season."
WVU Orange Bowl ticket costs to be hefty - Charleston Daily Mail
WVU sports marketing director Matt Wells said Tuesday the university ticket office has sold about 7,700 of the 17,500 tickets it received for the Jan. 4 Bowl Championship Series game between the Mountaineers and Clemson Tigers.
Bubble Watch - Andy Glockner - SI.com
WVU is "In the Mix"
Women's Basketball Interviews - WVillustrated
Natalie Burton, Asya Bussie and Coach Carey
NFL Week 16 Recap - WVU Pros
A rundown of former West Virginia Mountaineers in NFL action.
News of Note:
Hoops
Head Coach Bob Huggins - Mountaineer TV
West Virginia coach Bob Huggins previews Wednesday night's Villanova game.
Villanova Preview - MSNsportsNET.Com
Two young teams still searching for their identities will meet Wednesday night when West Virginia plays host to Villanova at the WVU Coliseum to open Big East Conference play.
Mountaineers set for Big East opener - Times West Virginian
When West Virginia’s freshman-heavy basketball team takes the basketball court at the Coliseum at 7 p.m. to face Villanova in the opening game of the Big East season, it is something of a bar mitzvah for the Mountaineers’ first-year players, for they no longer can be freshmen.
WVU opens Big East play tonight vs. Villanova - Register-Herald
"He’s going to get a lot more focus," said Huggins. "Everybody is going to come in and their game plan is to keep KJ off the glass."
Preview: Villanova vs WVU - BGN
West Virginia opens the Big East season with a home date against a Villanova team that differs in style from previous editions.
Big East season tips off - Charleston Gazette
It's the first taste of Big East action for everyone on the roster, save for Kevin Jones, Truck Bryant and Deniz Kilicli.
Kevin Jones is just what WVU needed - Charleston Daily Mail
Kevin Jones has been everything a West Virginia team with seven first-year players and all the inconsistencies that come with them has needed.
Big East Opener - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Preview includes audio with Nova play by play man Ryan Fannon
Video: Basketball Interviews 12/27 - BGN
Huggs, KJ, Browne and Hinds
Forward Kevin Jones - Mountaineer TV
Senior forward Kevin Jones talks about Wednesday's Big East opener against Villanova.
Orange Bowl
WVU has a matchup dilemma with Clemson - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
The hard part, though, isn't only containing Boyd but also the athletes who surround him.
WVU defense earned a share of the Big East title - Charleston Daily Mail
With an Orange Bowl bid evidence of the success of West Virginia's football season, perhaps it's time to stand for the defense.
WVU, Clemson looking at mirror - Charleston Gazette
At least statistically speaking, the similarities between West Virginia and Clemson are striking. But it goes beyond more than mere numbers.
Clemson WR injured in car crash - Post and Courier
DeAndre Hopkins, the second-leading receiver on Clemson's football team, was injured in an auto accident Tuesday morning and did not accompany the Clemson team to Miami
Inside Receiver Stedman Bailey - Mountaineer TV
Inside receiver Stedman Bailey reflects on the past few weeks and talks about the Orange Bowl matchup against Clemson.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Instant analysis: NC State 31, Louisville 24 - Big East Blog - ESPN
First and 10: Big East doesn't plan to take buyouts - Sporting News
College football's stories to watch in 2012 - Sporting News
In Iowa State, Rutgers sees up-tempo offense they're designed to stop - Star Ledger
Rick Pitino Says He Won't Coach Beyond 2017 - Card Chronicle
Irish knock off No. 22 Pitt - South Bend Tribune
Christmas gifts just keep coming
Fifth Third Arena A Problem and an Opportunity For Cincinnati Bearcats - Down The Drive
Bulls get first shot at defending national champs - Tampa Tribune
UConn mens basketball: UConn has struggled against South Florida - Hartford Courant
Five questions for Syracuse heading into Big East play - Juice Online
Recapping The (Little) Beauty Of The OOC Schedule - The Nova Blog
Johnnies' Moe Harkless stars in Big East debut breakout performance - Rumble In The Garden
St. John's defeated Providence, 91-57
What's On Tap:
Mountaineers Host Bucknell - MSNsportsNET.Com
Women's basketball, noon at the Coliseum
Villanova Wildcats vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - ESPN
7 pm tonight from the Coliseum on MASN, SNY, ROOT Pittsburgh and ESPN3
(12) Georgetown Hoyas vs. (4) Louisville Cardinals - Preview - ESPN
7 pm tonight from the Chicken Box on ESPN2
Toledo Rockets vs. Air Force Falcons - Preview - ESPN
Military Bowl - 4:30 pm today from old RFK on ESPN. Toledo is giving 3.
California Golden Bears vs. (24) Texas Longhorns - Preview - ESPN
Holiday Bowl - 8 pm tonight from San Diego on ESPN/ESPN3. Longhorns are giving 4
Video of Interest:
The Mountaineers prepare for their Big East opener and one of Clemson's top players gets in a car accident.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is another Victoria's Secret bombshell. Click on the picture for today's gallery of Erin Heatherton.
via nextround.net
Snoqualmie WIld Cat IPA image via beermelodies.com
