Mountaineer Morning Links: Oakland Post-Game (12/20/12) Edition

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Oakland Hangover:

West Virginia 76, Oakland 71 - ESPN
Recap, stats, photos, etc

West Virginia Outlasts Oakland - WVU Athletics
Strong second half lifts the Mountaineers Wednesday night.

Mountaineers hang on, beat Oakland - Charleston Gazette
"Honestly, Aaric will have a couple of good days and then he'll have a real bad day,'' West Virginia coach Bob Huggins said.

Oakland takes Mountaineers to the wire - Charleston Daily Mail
For a good portion of the first half of Wednesday night's game against Oakland, it looked as if West Virginia was on its way to a third straight loss at its worst start since the 1977-78 season.

HERTZEL COLUMN: Style points had nothing to do with win - Times West Virginian
“It’s a big deal to you media guys, the fans and maybe a little to the players, but it isn’t who starts but who finishes,” Huggins said.

Murray Returns with Big Night for Mountaineers - WVillustrated
Junior center wants to put the past behind him, does so in a strong outing against Oakland.

WVU survives Bader’s last look - WV MetroNews
The kid who had one Division I scholarship offer, to Oakland University, nearly shot down WVU on Wednesday night.

Mountaineers make grizzly escape - WV MetroNews
The Mountaineers, still plagued by inconsistency, survive against Oakland for a 76-71 win.

Game Recap: WVU vs. Oakland - WVillustrated
West Virginia got back on track with a 76-71 win over Oakland at the WVU Coliseum on Wednesday night.

WVU Earns Close Win - BGN
The singular grumbles and moans hit a high note on Wednesday night at the WVU Coliseum, as the West Virginia men’s basketball team had a rough outing once more.

Video: Oakland Postgame - BGN
Murray, Huggs, Staten & Miles

VIDEO: WVU Men's Basketball Postgame Interviews - WVillustrated
Staten, Rutledge, Miles, Noreen & Murray

PHOTOS: WVU Defeats Oakland - WVillustrated

What You May Have Missed:

Student-Athletes Giving Back - WVU Athletics
Several athletes participated in the Angel Tree Project.

Hoops donor plan just an industry norm - WV MetroNews
The inflation of season-ticket costs is a given in college sports. WVU hoops is joining the cash grab, while trying to appease longtime fans.

WVU kicker wore No. 100 proudly - Register-Herald
Carl “Chuck” Kinder of St. Albans had the distinction of doing something that no other West Virginia football player ever did.

Our Big 12 of the Big 12: Mountaineers’ Austin tops list of conference’s best players - Austin All American Statesman
For the second straight year, the American-Statesman chose its 12 best players in the Big 12, regardless of position, heading into the season.

WVU's Tavon Austin Named to First-Ever Senior Bowl All-Futures Team - Connect Bridgeport
The selections are based on the college careers of the players and their projected NFL future.

News of Note:

Patterson: Syracuse Prep Job No. 1 - WVU Athletics
Keith Patterson wants things to run smoothly for the bowl game.

WVU's defense embraces change with new coordinator - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Keith Patterson‘s promotion and Joe DeForest‘s demotion already has made an impact, said Clarke, a starter from Allderdice.

Geno gets a do-over - Charleston Gazette
When last Geno Smith encountered Syracuse and its defense, the results were not pretty.

Carrier Dome nightmare still fresh - WV MetroNews
“Some games you just get your ass whipped.”

Recruiting:

Henry Adds Name to WVU Commitment List - WVillustrated
WVU picked up a commitment today from a junior college outside linebacker.

JUCO WR Kevin White Signs with WVU - WVillustrated
6-foot-4 threat plans January enrollment, competition for Mountaineer receiver position.

Henry Finalizes Recruiting - BGN
Shortly after naming West Virginia as his favorite, Arizona Western linebacker D'Vante Henry made the Mountaineers his choice.

Four junior college football players select WVU - Charleston Gazette
West Virginia's football team has begun officially signing players to the school's next football recruiting class

WVU lands pass-rushing juco LB - WV MetroNews
the Mountaineers landed a commitment from a fifth. Arizona Western Community College outside linebacker D’Vante Henry pledged to WVU and plans to enroll next summer.

Around the League (and Beyond):

Get ready for the Lache Show! - Our Daily Bears

Rohach making the most of bowl practice reps - Cyclone Fanatic

KU swats Spiders in final tuneup; now it's Buckeye time - Topeka Capital Journal

K-State's Snyder up for Bryant coaching award - Topeka Capital Journal

Sooners Need Amath M'Baye To Avoid Slump - Crimson And Cream Machine

CB Jonovan Griffin leaves Oklahoma State - Oklahoman

Forbes Magazine: Texas Longhorns - college football's most valuable team - Barking Carnival

Patterson says three TCU players hurt, two to miss bowl game - Dallas-Fort Worth Star Telegram

Report: Tech selects Dennis as strength coach - Lubbock Avalanche Journal

What's On Tap:

Women’s Basketball to Face Duquesne Thursday - WVU Athletics
The No. 24/20 West Virginia University women’s basketball team looks to avenge its last season loss to Duquesne as it will face the Dukes on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum.

WVU, Dunning eyeing Duquesne - Times West Virginian
“This is something the coaches would not let go of. It’s been on our minds, and everyone is ready for it,” Dunning said.

Video of Interest:

After defeating Oakland 76-71, Mountaineer Head Coach Bob Huggins shares his thoughts on the game.

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is a bikini model, Florida State student and Playboy Playmate. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Amanda Cerny.