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 Łomża, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.
Today we have more notes on Gonzaga preparation and the youth of the Mountaineers being on full display and critical to the success of this team in the NCAAs. We have some more spring football practice updates, including videos with many players, including the early enrolled incoming freshman. There's also the matter of an elephant in the room carrying large sums of money. I skipped that on purpose this morning, as that deserves it's own spotlight a bit later today.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold And Blue Now: Wednesday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
why the Mountaineers have a better chance of beating Gonzaga if it's a close game and the Mountaineer players talk about how the first two spring practice have been going.
Blog: Campus Connection 03/13/12 - MSNsportsNET.Com
This Week's Notebook
WVU hoops, updates and a stench from State - Charleston Gazette
Vingle's Notebook
News of Note:
Hoops
'Finality Sets In' - BGN
While the mantra of treating each game similarly echoes throughout the regular season, things are different when the NCAA Tournament begins, if only because a loss ends each participant’s year. West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins said he presents that reality to his players bluntly when March rolls around.
Last time together? - Charleston Gazette
WVU seniors Jones, Bryant hope to delay the inevitable
Huggins hopes his team senses obvious urgency - Charleston Daily Mail
Asked before he left Morgantown Tuesday to head to the Steel City about the fairness of his lower-seeded team being so close to home, Huggins responded with a shot of wry: "You haven't seen our bus driver."
WVU’s tourney success depends on youth - Charleston Daily Mail
"A little bit of panic and worry on their faces, like, 'Oh, no, here we go again.' That kind of face," Jones said. "I tell the guys to calm down, the game's not over, just to get those guys settled down, but when you have freshmen, they tend to worry a lot, especially when a team starts getting back in the game."
Huggins Eyes Consistency - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
"They've got to do something different and make a shot," Huggins said Tuesday. "They've been terribly inconsistent. We haven't finished games the way we certainly would like to finish games."
Gridiron
Mountaineers have new, positive attitude this spring after Orange Bowl win in January - Daily Athenaeum
"Honestly, it felt like just yesterday we got off the field (at the Orange Bowl), and it’s pretty crazy how we’re starting practice again," said junior linebacker Doug Rigg. "It’s about to start a new season, a new identity."
Quick Hits: Spring Practice Day 2 - WVillustrated
News and notes from today's WVU Football spring practice.
Video: West Virginia X factor - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
David Ubben says the biggest X factor for West Virginia's Big 12 title hopes is its revamped pass rush.
Football Staff Asks Mountaineers to 'EAT' in 2012 - WVillustrated
"Effort, Intensity and Turnovers," junior cornerback Brodrick Jenkins said.
Patience required as WVU defense shifts alignment - Charleston Gazette
As soon as Doug Rigg and the rest of West Virginia's linebackers had begun spring practice this week, they heard the new mantra.
Jenkins’ return causes O-line shuffle - Times West Virginian
In the end, the greatest offenses — yes, even one devised by Dana Holgorsen — is only as good as its offensive line.
Sights And Sounds: Spring Football - BGN
Video from the latest practice session
Video: Football Interviews 3/13 - BGN
Rigg, Childress, Braun, Geno, Josh Jenkins and Clarke
WVU Football Interviews Following Day Two of Spring Drills - WVillustrated
Josh Jenkins, Rigg, Pat Miller, Brodrick Jenkins, Clarke and Geno
WVU Freshmen Speak for First Time This Spring - WVillustrated
Childress, Jordan Thompson, Imarjaye Albury, Sean Walters and Karl Joseph
Football: WVU Football Player Interviews - MSNsportsNET.Com
Transcripts
Around the League (and Beyond):
Gundy fielding best defense in 2012? - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Patterson prepping his Frogs for Big 12 move - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Kansas coach Charlie Weis on the painful life of an 'ogre' - Sporting News
What's On Tap:
$ - more on this later today
Video of Interest:
MSN's Tony Caridi talks with WVU head basketball coach Bob Huggins about the upcoming NCAA contest with Gonzaga.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
One and half more days:
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is Polish model Aleksandra Funka. Click on the picture for today's gallery.
via nextround.net
Łomża image via maniacfl.com