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 Salopian's Hop Twister, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.
It's that time again: Backyard Brawl II game-day. Time to get the hate on. I don't know about you, but, there's just something about that team up I79 that brings out the worst in me. I want a win tonight so bad. My blood pressure is already starting to rise and the game is around 11 hours away. I have plenty of game previews and story line features inside for you today. There's also some football news starting to trickle out of the information tap.
If you have any tips, suggestions or requests for content that you think is worth sharing, you can send them to me by email or Twitter and don't forget to "LIKE" the Smoking Musket MAIN PAGE on Facebook (follow this link, then hit "LIKE" at the top of the page). Many thanks to those who already "LIKE" us. We now stand at 669. 700 is looming in the distance, but it's in sight. Please, spread the word!! Time for the jump and...
Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What You May Have Missed:
Mountaineer Report: The Rematch - WVMetroNews.com
West Virginia will try and defend the paint and come away with an upset victory against Pitt Thursday night.
Head Coach Bob Huggins - Mountaineer TV
Coach Bob Huggins talks about Thursday night's game at Pitt that will be televised nationally on ESPN.
WVU could be in danger of missing NCAA Tourney - Daily Athenaeum
The women, that is
Small College, Big Ideas - MSNsportsNET.Com
Coach Dawson is profiled
Video: Looking for Big East playmakers - Big East Blog - ESPN
Spring preview video
The Big East's best: No. 19 - Big East Blog - ESPN
Tavon Austin, WR
WVU Nets Small Profit From Bowl Game - WVMETRONEWS.COM
$144,750 to be more exact
2011 NFL Combine: Running Back Analysis - College Football News
Noel is listed at #9
WVU DB Brandon Hogan Prepares for NFL Combine - WVillustrated.com
Watching party planned for WVU-Pitt game - Charleston Daily Mail
Here's one in Charleston. I know there's also one in Martinsburg at the VIP Sports Lounge on Eagle School Road too (not the VIP strip club on Rt. 9, unfortunately). Food drives are being held at both. Feel free to list any other watches in your area in the comments below.
News of Note:
WVU Men's Basketball Game Preview: WVU-PITT - WVillustrated.com
Jay's Pitt Keys - MSNsportsNET.Com
WVU faces Pitt tonight - Register-Herald
Mountaineers get 2nd shot at No. 4 Pitt - Charleston Gazette
West Virginia has another opportunity to upset No. 4 Panthers - Daily Athenaeum
Pitt, West Virginia both seeking redemption in tonight's game - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Top 5: Key Storylines For Tonight's Backyard Brawl - SB Nation Pittsburgh
Do Truck and Joe hold the keys to KJ’s scoring? - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
Mazzulla may hold key to WVU’s hopes at Pitt - Times West Virginian
WVU takes ‘Zoo’ trips in stride - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column
Road wins hold special place for Huggins - Charleston Daily Mail
Big East intrigue and WVU's stretch run - Charleston Gazette
Hickman's Notebook
VIDEO: WVU Men's Basketball Interviews - WVillustrated.com
Huggs, Joe and Cam
Bob Huggins: Getting Revenge - WVMetroNews.com
Huggins talks about what the Mountaineers need to do if they want to beat Pitt on Thursday night.
Joe Mazzulla: Heading Into The Pete - WVMetroNews.com
Mazzulla talks about how the Panthers defend their home court and what they need to improve on from their last matchup.
Cam Thoroughman: Correcting Mistakes - WVMetroNews.com
The senior forward talks about what the Mountaineers need to do differently if they want to beat the Panthers at the Pete.
Pitt has chance to sweep West Virginia again - PPG
Pitt Basketball: Could Dante Taylor Miss West Virginia Game With Injury? - Cardiac Hill
Recruiting:
And It Begins... - WVMETRONEWS.COM
WVU got it's first football commitment for the recruiting class of 2012 (article includes audio)
Around the League (and Beyond):
Chris Wright Breaks His Hand: Georgetown Loses to Cincinnati 58-46 - Casual Hoya
Bearcats personify Chaos Theory in 58-46 win against Georgetown - Down The Drive
Notre Dame 94 Providence 93: Marshon Brooks Gets The Record, The Irish Get The Win - Rakes Of Mallow
Demonlition! St. John's Red Storm dispatches DePaul, 76-51 - Rumble In The Garden
Blaney Directing Huskies Against Marquette - Hartford Courant
Calhoun Away For Family Funeral
Marquette Bubble Watch February 23 Edition - Anonymous Eagle
Is the sky really falling? - VUhoops.com
The Syracuse Basketball Chicken Soup Dance In All Its Glory - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
It's Preston Time - Card Chronicle
Seton Hall Athletics: Pat Lyons Introduced as New Director of Athletics - South Orange Juice
Bulls Beat: Hopkins sprinting to spring football - Tampa Tribune
College Basketball Mailbag - Seth Davis - SI.com
Tennessee Volunteers coach Bruce Pearl cited by NCAA for unethical conduct - ESPN
Blame Tennessee's NCAA infractions on more than Bruce Pearl, Kiffin - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
Don DeVoe 'very surprised' by UT's support of Bruce Pearl - GoVolsXtra
Tennessee Makes Special Delivery to NCAA: Lane Kiffin - NCAAFB FanHouse
But they're not bitter, nooooooo...not one bit
What's On Tap:
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. (6) Pittsburgh Panthers - Preview - ESPN
9:00 tonight from the Pete on ESPN
Marquette Golden Eagles vs. (15) Connecticut Huskies - Preview - ESPN
7:00 tonight from the XLC on ESPN2
Videos of Interest:
Here's a game preview from CBS Sports:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
WARNING: SPOILERS (...duh)
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is on of my favorites of the UK tabloid girls. Here's a 4 pager of Alice Goodwin (click on the picture).
Salopian Hop Twister image via www.boakandbailey.com
