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 Blonde Hooker Ale, in honor of today's holiday. (WHAT?)
It seems that what was once imminent will become official today. BGN and the Dominion Post are both reporting that the expected settlement between the Big East and WVU will be officially signed today with an announcement sometime this afternoon. Now, about that football schedule... Actually, based on reports I've seen, that it is in fact the Sooners that are holding up the official release due to their lack of a 12th game and who and when that is for could throw the 8+/- scenarios into effect. We also have several hoops notes as the men try to regroup for the Brawl and the women look to build on their momentum. A couple of not so nice notes to report in that Truck was involved in an incident and J.T. Thomas was nabbed for pot possession. All of this and more...
Happy VD everybody!!! (Seriously, WHAT!?! That's what it is.)
What You May Have Missed:
WVU-Big East Battle to End - BGN
The Dominion Post reported that the sides would actually sign settlement papers Tuesday morning. A public announcement should come later in the day.
VSR: Bussie Named Athlete of the Week - MSNsportsNET.Com
This week's Varsity Sports Report
West Virginia football: Bob Simmons to join the staff? - Berry Tramel's Blog
Former Nehlen asst and OSU HC is looking to return to WVU
WVU’s Josh Jenkins ready to get back on the football field - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Former Big Red missed 2011 season with knee injury
Butler keeping dream alive in D-League - Charleston Gazette
The road to the NBA looks to now be a lot shorter for Da'Sean Butler than it recently has been.
Former WVU Linebacker J.T. Thomas Arrested - WVillustrated
Thomas was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor of possession of less than 15 grams of marijuana.
News of Note:
A Golden Win - MSNsportsNET.Com
Sunday’s victory, coupled with a 16-point triumph over then-12th-ranked Louisville eight days ago, charts a different course for the Mountaineers.
WVU women look to build off upset - Times West Virginian
This wasn’t the year it was supposed to happen, not with the freshman point guard hurt early and with only one senior, she riding the bench most of the time.
Women's Basketball: Bussie Player of Week - MSNsportsNET.Com
West Virginia women’s basketball player Asya Bussie is named BIG EAST Player of the Week after paving the way to a 65-63 come-from-behind win over No.2/2 Notre Dame with a career-best 22 points, Sunday.
Bubble matchup between Pitt, WVU - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Mountaineers have lost five of their last six
Examining WVU's NCAA Tournament Resume - WVillustrated
WVU has some work to do if it wants to secure a spot in the 2012 NCAA Tournament
WVU basketball: Last season in Big East could be defined by officiating - Charleston Daily Mail
The scheduling system that allows a middle-aged man to work 28 games in 34 days or 77 games before Valentine's Day is absurd. Yet the problem with quality officiating trumps the quantity of games.
Now is make or break time for WVU men - Daily Athenaeum
You learn the most about a team when its back is against the wall.
Bryant Involved In Incident - BGN
West Virginia senior guard Darryl "Truck" Bryant was the victim of a battery reported by a third party on High Street in downtown Morgantown in the overnight hours of Sunday morning.
Did Bryant get trucked? If so, why? - Charleston Gazette
Hickman's Notebook, includes notes on the schedule and the likely holdups, among a few other bits
Huggins Endorses Jones For BE POY - WVMETRONEWS.COM
During Bob Huggins’ weekly radio show on the MetroNews Radio Network he said there is no doubt this talented senior is going to be the first Mountaineer to win the award.
College Basketball Player of the Year Rankings: Week 15 - Searching for Billy Edelin
KJ checks in at #6
Keaton Miles Accepting His Role on this Year’s WVU Team - WVillustrated
The freshman forward is understanding what he needs to do in order to be an asset for Bob Huggins and the Mountaineers.
Big East efficiency margins 2-13-2012: Louisville, Providence, Notre Dame and more - Rumble In The Garden
No surprise that WVU has dropped like a rock the last couple weeks
Bracketology - ESPN
#10 East and falling
Field of 68: Win over UNC moves Duke to No. 1 seed - Sporting News
10 seed here also
Conference power rankings: Big East - ESPN
#9 in the league
Around the League (and Beyond):
A Big 12-Big East football challenge would beef up nonconference scheduling - NewsOK.com
While the Big 12 keeping us waiting for its football schedule, the conference should borrow an idea from college basketball and start a Big 12-Big East football challenge. That would be good for the sports and help smooth things over after the West Virginia departure.
Backyard Brawl: Pitt And West Virginia Falling Heading Into Matchup - Cardiac Hill
Bearcats Turnover Margin Has Turned Negative: Can It Be Fixed? - Down The Drive
With six games left, where does UConn go from here? - The UConn Blog
Red Storm looks to play Pirates spoiler Tuesday in Newark - Rumble In The Garden
Backyard Brawl: Pitt And West Virginia Falling Heading Into Matchup - Cardiac Hill
Hoop Thoughts - Seth Davis - SI.com
Davis has some thoughts on WVU on page 2. I'll save you the time re: his thoughts on WVU to the Big 12...he's an idiot
What's On Tap:
Video of Interest:
The young Mountaineer basketball team is still working hard to get back on track, former Mountaineer baseball player Jedd Gyorko says his goal is to make it to the big leagues by the end of next season and former WVU linebacker J.T. Thomas is arrest for possession of marijuana.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Some helpful last second tips:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is this year's newly crowned SI Swimsuit Edition cover model (photo courtesy of SI.com). Here's the lovely Miss Kate Upton (click on the picture for her latest SI Swimsuit gallery). Sorry I couldn't embed a larger version of the video, but it does have the full screen option.
Hooker Blonde Ale image via www.hookerbeer.com
