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 Full Sail Wassail Winter Ale.
Not counting chickens yet, but if you follow Casazza's logic in his article today, the mediation conference scheduled for Thursday could signal an imminent end to the hostilities between WVU and the Big East. We also have news that FSU may be looking to sue WVU for more than the contract was signed for. There are several post-signing day re-rankings of the football teams to go along with more on J.T. Thomas' charity work. On the football recruiting front, WVU looks to have another kicker in the fold for the coming season.
Basketball news rolls on with a couple of features on the big Turk and initial impressions of WVU by Notre Dame coach Mike Brey. The latest rankings and bracket projections are here too. All of this and more...
What You May Have Missed:
Florida State West Virginia: Florida State may be forced to legislate against West Virginia - Orlando Sentinel
"We have the buyout, there's that, and then there will be whatever liquidated damages," Spetman said. "If we aren't able to find another team, that's what we're going to have to look at.
Split from Big East is nearing for WVU - Charleston Daily Mail
The two sides are supposed to sit down for a court-scheduled status conference Thursday and engage in non-binding mediation. It sure seems like all work preceding a resolution is done.
USC Trojans earn top spot in latest 2012 look - ESPN
WVU still at #7
Way too early 2012 Power Rankings, Take 2 - Big East Blog - ESPN
#1 with a welcome asterisk
Post-signing day Big 12 Power Rankings - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
#3 here
Covariance Rankings (2005-11) - Football Study Hall
The idea is both simple and intriguing: which teams play their best against the best competition, and which play best against the worst? Within the frame of a given season, it can give you a glimpse at a team's personality. But what can it tell you about a team from year to year? - WVU ranked rather high, which falls into the "we play to the level of our competition" category.
Alabama, LSU, Stanford top re-ranked 2009 recruiting classes - Andy Staples - SI.com
Well, look who comes in at #8
Fields making impact in first season - Daily Athenaeum
The 6-foot forward, who averaged 23.5 points and 13.1 rebounds per game as a senior in high school, has had to come off of the bench this season under Carey, but she hasn't crumbled under the pressure.
VSR: Bussie Named Athlete of the Week - MSNsportsNET.Com
This week's Varsity Sports Report
Chicago Bears linebacker J.T. Thomas gives the life-changing gift of a Super Bowl - ESPN
Bears' linebacker J.T. Thomas and 14-year-old Anthony Grandberry went to the Super Bowl together. The question is: Who did the favor for whom?
News of Note:
Kilicli holds key to WVU’s stretch run - Charleston Gazette
Buried stat of the day: When Kilicli scores more than 10 points and shoots 50 percent or better from the floor, WVU is 10-1. Otherwise the Mountaineers are 6-7.
WVU basketball: Kilicli emerges from offensive rut - Charleston Daily Mail
"I kind of slowed down a little bit more than what I used to do," he said. "I watched all the tapes to see what I did and if I don't get my feet down, I don't have any power."
WVU’s win over Providence came at perfect time - Daily Athenaeum
Not only did West Virginia win, but it did so by getting the type of performances it had been hoping to get for a long time.
Plenty of "Opportunities" for WVU in Final Month of Season - WVillustrated
Five of West Virginia's seven remaining games are against teams ahead of the Mountaineers in the Big East Standings.
Brey Impressed By Jones, Bryant - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Article includes audio with the coach
Bracketology - ESPN
#8 West and still on a downward slide
Field of 68: More than one Pac-12 team will make it - Sporting News
6 seed here
25th Anniversary of the 3-Point Shot - MSNsportsNET.Com
When you talk to coaches from that era, they typically refer to the 3-point shot and the shot clock in the same breath.
Recruiting:
Texas Kicker Set To Sign With WVU - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Profile with highlight video of Josh Lambert from Garland High School in Texas
O-Line Class Brings High Expectations to WVU - WVillustrated
With four new linemen set to join the Mountaineers, Bill Bedenbaugh shares his thoughts on the latest additions to his position.
Childress Will Compete for Backup QB Job at WVU - WVillustrated
Freshman Ford Childress enrolled early at WVU to begin challenging Paul Millard for the backup quarterback job.
Roberts, Gillespie Named Recruiter of the Year - WVillustrated
A pair of WVU assistant coaches are honored for their recruiting success
Nehlen waited to rate recruits - Register-Herald
“If (Holgorsen) got 27 recruits and 14 or 15 prove to be really good players, then he’s had a pretty good year (recruiting),” said Nehlen, whose 21-year record was 149-93-4.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big East Basketball Power Rankings 2/6: Pitt is charging from behind - The UConn Blog
Brought to you by the Big East editors of SB Nation.
Big East Efficiency Margins, 2-6-2012 - Rumble In The Garden
This week's Big East Efficiency Margins focuses on the improvement of Pittsburgh, and the decline of West Virginia, Seton Hall, and South Florida.
Louisville basketball trounces UConn, 80-59 - Courier-Journal
Your Post-Game Jubilation Thread: #18/19 Marquette 89, DePaul 76 - Anonymous Eagle
Notre Dame Men's Basketball: Not long ago, surge seemed very unlikely - South Bend Tribune
Syracuse Basketball: Jim Boeheim Ties Dean Smith With 879 Wins - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Cronin looking for better guard play - Cincinnati Enquirer
Rutgers Takes On Seton Hall: Breaking Down the Rivalry - On the Banks
Seton Hall Basketball: How The Pirates Can Salvage Their Season - South Orange Juice
NCAA College Basketball Polls - ESPN
No votes anywhere
Big Ten considers playoff with home games, earlier title game - Sporting News
What's On Tap:
Men's Basketball: UND Game Parking Info - MSNsportsNET.Com
The West Virginia men's basketball team plays host to Notre Dame on Wednesday, Feb. 8, in a nationally televised game on ESPNU.
Video of Interest:
Kevin Jones receives another accolade, Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey prepares his team to come to Morgantown and the WVU football team will be signing a kicker.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a former UGA sorority girl who's moved on to lingerie modeling. Click on the picture below for today's gallery of Lane Lindell.
via www.brobible.com
Full Sail Wassail Winter Ale image via www.bruguru.com
