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 Lagunitas Lucky 13 Ale.
Today's edition showcases the love-fest being shown to WVU football by pundits and writers from all over the country. Hope springs eternal and Coach Holgorsen and his system are to thank. There's a couple basketball bits, including an update on Devin Ebanks. AD Luck sat down with the Daily Mail and WVi caught up with a couple of the incoming freshman football recruits. Plus, there's more (non?)news on the Villanova football situation. All this and more await on the other side... Have a great weekend!!
What You May Have Missed:
WVU basketball: Mountaineers to play in SEC/Big East Invitational - Charleston Daily Mail
The final piece of next years schedule is falling into place. The opponent and site has yet to be determined.
Luck talk offers food for thought, with variety - Charleston Daily Mail
Be in NCAA allegations against WVU, Big East expansion, football futures, Mountaineer basketball issues, the former quarterback closing in on one year as the AD at his alma mater provided a columnist's and readers' buffet.
College Football: Bruce Feldman's best value prop bets on BCS title odds - ESPN
Insider article, but you can see the most interesting part for free
Preseason Top 25: #17 West Virginia - AthlonSports
Complete team breakdown
Smith A Dark Horse Heisman Candidate - WVMETRONEWS.COM
ESPN's College Football Live lists his solid numbers in Mullen's offense and an expected drastic increase in Holgorsen's system as the major factor in his inclusion.
HERTZEL COLUMN - Hype is rising for WVU football - Times West Virginian
Love is in the "Air" ...Geez, I just did a lede pun...forgive me
Seven Reasons to be Optimistic - MSNsportsNET.Com
Caridi has compiled this list of reasons for the surge of love toward the Mountaineers, both locally and nationally
Big East Blog - ESPN
There's a handful of polls at the top (at the time of this posting) that show WVU players are being thought of highly for the coming season
Football: Priority Deadline Friday - MSNsportsNET.Com
Renewals are at a record pace. To keep your seats, you need to renew today if you haven't already.
Open Comment Period For Beer Sales Ends Today - WVMETRONEWS.COM
If you want the BOG to know your opinion, today is the last day for that as well.
Ebanks Looks For Bright Future With Lakers - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Rehab on the leg and development over the summer will be key
News of Note:
Football: Maryland Game to Kick at Noon - MSNsportsNET.Com
As decided by the ACC, but the game will be televised by one of the 3 main ESPN channels
Catching Up with WVU Head Strength Coach Mike Joseph - WVillustrated.com
Coach Joseph gives some insight on the structure and limits of the off-season workouts
WVU offense all about technique . . . and freedom - Charleston Gazette
Hickman says the Offense is like a pot-head on a mission..."find grass"
WVU QB Geno Smith Enjoying the Learning Process - WVillustrated.com
“I don’t like to make reference to a lot of the things I’ve done in the past, but Brandon Weeden was a guy who hadn’t played a whole lot of football,” Holgorsen said. “Geno’s played a whole bunch of football. He had a very successful career in high school for three years. He came here and played as a freshman and played a bunch last year so he’s played a whole bunch of football.” - The more he talks, the more I love what he does
A Passing Fancy - MSNsportsNET.Com
Here's a look back at the different offensive philosophies of past Mountaineer teams and coaches
Post-Spring Analysis: West Virginia - Big East Coast Bias
Nice breakdown here by Mengus
Willie Milhouse Looks to Make a Splash in WVU's Pond - WVillustrated.com
The former transfer from Duquesne made some major strides this spring
And here's a couple of lists compiled by Athlon to continue the WVU love fest:
Top Ten Greatest Mountaineers - AthlonSports
The Greatest Moments in Mountaineers History - AthlonSports
Recruiting:
Three More Miramar Prospects To WVU? - WVMETRONEWS.COM
It certainly is nice to have a pipeline from a school like Miramar
Winding Path Leads Terrell Chestnut Past Obstacles to WVU - WVillustrated.com
WVi caught up with the incoming freshman for an interview (article and video)
Freshman RB Dustin Garrison Eyeing June Arrival to Morgantown - WVillustrated.com
“I feel like it’s going to be a huge competition,” he says. “I know that they’ve got a lot of guys up there now fighting for a spot and whenever me and Buie get up there, I know it’s going to get a lot worse. I’m sure we’ll all get out there, do our best and Gillespie will figure it out from there.” - article and video
Around the League (and Beyond):
Decisions Made - BGN
Here's a breakdown of the decisions made by the 6 underclassmen from the Big East who declared for the NBA Draft
Big East spring wrap - ESPN
Lessons learned, top performers and what to expect in the coming year
Looks like 2015 would be earliest for Villanova football in Big East - Philadelphia Daily News
The Villanova moving-up-to-the Big East for football situation, which was supposed to be resolved a month ago, remains officially on hold. No one seems to know exactly what's going to happen next, although well-placed sources on both sides seem to agree that nothing is likely to be resolved before June 1.
Report: New Big East TV Deal Worth More With Villanova - The Nova Blog
According to Mike Jensen of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the new Big East TV deal that is being discussed would be worth more with Villanova in it than with Houston or Central Florida.
John Marinatto's Letter To Villanova - The Nova Blog
Big East Commissioner John Marinatto penned a letter to Villanova's President, Father Peter Donohue, committing support to Villanova's bid to join the Big East as a football member.
Syracuse Football Facilities Need A Facelift - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
This is interesting for the links within the article that show other teams facilities
Rutgers football spring practice: final defense grades - On the Banks
Nobody in lead as UC's backup QB - Cincinnati Enquirer
Jamius Gunsby To Transfer From USF - Voodoo Five
A red-shirt freshman QB
Stand Down, Everyone! - Anonymous Eagle
Terrible news for Texas A&M fans and Andy Katz, unsurprising news for Marquette fans.
At least ESPN's heart is in the right place - Card Chronicle
This is shameful, and has since been removed
Fiesta Bowl fined $1 million but allowed to remain part of BCS - SI.com
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
What's On Tap:
Commencement ceremonies at WVU - A heartfelt congratulations to all of the Mountaineers who have earned their degrees this past year!!
Video of Interest:
I thought this was appropriate, given the weekend's ceremonies:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
I still have a crush on Jen:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is the newly single Miss Bar Refaeli (suck it, Leo). Here's today's gallery (linked through picture) and videos:
Lagunitas Lucky 13 Ale image via thefullpint.com
