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 Husky Brewing Milk Stout, in preparation for tonight's opponent.
The men are back in action tonight when they play their second straight top ten team in UConn on the road tonight. We have several previews. We also have more fallout from the Orange Bowl and how it's going to be a springboard for next season. Speaking of next season, five new football recruits have enrolled early so they can participate in team activities this semester and get a jump on things. This is where you can find out who they are. Mike Parsons also clarifies things a bit on the impending series with Florida State.
Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What You May Have Missed:
WVU in Select Company - MSNsportsNET.Com
So, West Virginia has won three different BCS bowl games in the last six years - with three different coaches no less. What to make of this?
WVU exercises scheduling options for next season - Charleston Daily Mail
Various reports over the weekend said the Mountaineers are attempting to buy their way out of the contract, but WVU Deputy Athletic Director Mike Parsons called that "premature" on Saturday.
Almost Heaven? Not Quite: Pure Heaven - Pre-Snap Read
For Clemson, it’s time to regroup. For West Virginia, it’s party time.
Great day to be a WVU fan - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Wednesday was one of those nights about which every sports fan dreams, but not many get to experience.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Sports giving W.Va. a new reputation - Times West Virginian
This is big stuff, people, for a state that has suffered far too long from an image problem.
Bowl blowout a surprise - Martinsburg Journal
Mickey was shocked and awed
WVU bowl fortunes changing - Martinsburg Journal
A little history lesson is in order here: West Virginia used to lose bowl games. All of its bowl games.
Record-setting win sets tone for next season - Charleston Daily Mail
The final college football polls will appear after LSU and Alabama finish things somewhere around midnight tonight, and West Virginia will find itself ranked higher than the No. 23 it was for Wednesday's Orange Bowl.
Orange Bowl a taste of what offense can do - Daily Athenaeum
In its 70-33 victory over No. 15 Clemson in the Discover Orange Bowl, the No. 23 West Virginia football team put on an awe-inspiring performance that would have been extremely impressive in any game. When you consider the fact that it was in a BCS bowl, it’s a pretty amazing feat.
Smith shines on big stage in Orange Bowl - Daily Athenaeum
Wednesday, on the biggest stage he's ever played on, Smith didn't disappoint.
Understanding the Mindset of Jeff Casteel - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Gardinia tries to go into the different pros and cons of leaving
With All WVU Has Done, Big East Should Let it Walk - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
It's time for officials of the Big East Conference and West Virginia University to sit down at a table and hash out their differences. Leave the courtroom, judges and all that out of it, and settle it like men.
Ranking the Big 12 QBs for 2012 - News Oklahoman
#2
Big 12 football: Watch out for West Virginia - Berry Tramel's Blog
The Big 12 wants West Virginia immediately and West Virginia wants the Big 12 immediately.
Musings Of A Mountain Man: January 6, 2012 - WVillustrated
John Woolard celebrates the Mountaineers' record breaking win over the Clemson Tigers in the 2012 Orange Bowl.
Class of 2012 WVU Seniors in the NFL Draft - WVU Pros
A breakdown of those West Virginia Mountaineer seniors with the best chance of getting Drafted into the NFL.
News of Note:
WVU set for next test against UConn - Times West Virginian
Certainly the league’s traditional powers have shortcomings.
WVU Preparing for UCONN on Short Rest - WVillustrated
West Virginia did not get to spend much time at all celebrating its win over Number 9 Georgetown because the Mountaineers will visit No. 8 UCONN Monday night.
Preview: WVU vs UConn - BGN
West Virginia faces its second consecutive top ten foe when it visits UConn on Monday.
Mountaineers Take On Defending Champs - WVMETRONEWS.COM
The Mountaineers (12-4, 3-1) will try and knock off the defending National Champions tonight when West Virginia travels to Hartford, Connecticut to take on UConn (12-3, 2-2).
Huggins: Team is playing for state of W.Va. - Charleston Daily Mail
"It's like the Gettysburg Address in West Virginia now," Huggins said Saturday after the Mountaineers beat No. 9 Georgetown, 74-62, and ended the Hoyas' 11-game winning streak. It was Huggins' 20th win at WVU against a ranked team.
No time to rest for WVU - Charleston Gazette
Mountaineers visit No. 8 UConn tonight
Unstoppable - BGN
Nothing stops WVU forward Kevin Jones. Not detailed scouting reports, extra offensive and defensive attention. Not even badly sprained ankles.
Recruiting:
Five Enroll Early, Begin WVU Football Careers - WVillustrated
Sean Walters, Ford Childress, Imarjaye Albury, Karl Joseph and Jordan Thompson
Top recruit should ease transition at WVU - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Don't look at it as West Virginia losing forward Kevin Jones, a preseason All-Big East selection who leads the team in scoring and rebounding as a senior. Look at it as the Mountaineers gaining Elijah Macon.
Around the League (and Beyond):
BBVA Compass Bowl Recap: Pitt Torched By SMU, 28-6 - Big East Coast Bias
Pitt loses again and in breaking news...ice is cold
No. 1 Syracuse 73 - No. 20 Marquette 66: Absolutely Fab-ulous - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
By one Moe shot: Harkless and St. John's defeat Cincinnati, 57-55 - Rumble In The Garden
St. Johns 57 Cincinnati Bearcats 55: Poor Shooting Leads To Loss - Down The Drive
Everybody F'in Panic! Cards Lose to ND, Broghammer - Card Chronicle
Louisville Basketball Players Listening To Fans And Family In The Huddle? - Big East Coast Bias
Rutgers Drops Another Top Ten Team: 67-60 Over UConn - On the Banks
Shabazz Napier comments on UConn's leadership void - The UConn Blog
Final: Villanova Scorches The Nets, Routs DePaul 87-71 - The Nova Blog
Weekly Watch: Week 5 - ESPN
Mountaineers get several mentions here this week
Here's what we learned on Saturday - ESPN
WVU's game with the Hoyas is included
What's On Tap:
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. (8) Connecticut Huskies - Preview - ESPN
7 pm tonight from the XLC on ESPN2.
(2) Alabama Crimson Tide vs. (1) LSU Tigers - Preview - ESPN
BCS National Championship - 8:30 pm tonight from Naw'Lins on ESPN. Tigers are getting 2.5.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. (9) Georgetown Hoyas - Preview - ESPN
9 pm tonight from the Phone Booth on ESPNU.
Video of Interest:
In Monday's esisode, the Mountaineer basketball team prepares for another Top 10 match up, Jeff Casteel's future is still up in the air and Bruce Irvin thanks Mountaineer fans for his time in Morgantown.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Not very high expectations for this one, but it's Soderbergh and more importantly has Gina Carano in it, so, I'll see it:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is Venezuelan model Aida Yespica. Click on her picture for today's gallery that's 100 pictures strong.
Black Husky Brewing Milk Stout image via 2.bp.blogspot.com
