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 Stiegl.
The Big 12 blogger from ESPN has been in town and has been getting the superstar treatment, as several outlets conducted interviews with him regarding WVU's move to the Big 12 and traditions we can expect from our new conference mates. Today we also have many player features to peruse to go along with several updates from Caleb on former Mountaineer players. All of this, your daily Big 12 roundup and more...
What You May Have Missed:
WVU AD Luck: Big 12 should look to expand - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
"Ten is the ideal number for fair and equitable conference play, no question about it, but having said that, I’m not sure that you want to stay at 10, given where everybody else is," Luck said.
Big 12 title contenders: Now's the time - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Travis Haney took to his blog this week to identify five teams who need to win conference or national titles now, and why.
West Virginia prospect Bruce Irvin ditches burglary, drug game for shot at NFL - Yahoo! Sports
The onetime high school dropout has emerged as a possible second-round draft pick after turning his life around.
WVU Pros NFL Free Agency Update 4/12/12 - WVU Pros
A snapshot of what is going on with Mountaineer free-agents in the NFL.
Truck Bryant To Play In Portsmouth Invitational - WVU Pros
Every year, the Invitational invites the top seniors in college basketball to audition for NBA scouts in hopes of getting drafted.
News of Note:
HERTZEL COLUMN: Holgorsen has history of leaving top quarterbacks - Times West Virginian
"The second year is normally the year we’re most comfortable," quarterbacks coach Jake Spavital said recently. "The first year is all installation, and the more reps you get in certain situations, they won’t duplicate that mistake. The second year, we’re going to go out there and work more situations of the game."
Smith and Bailey's Relationship Remains Strong - WVillustrated
The quarterback and receiver use their friendship to benefit their play on the field.
WVU getting on the run - Martinsburg Journal
"Shawne Alston looked as good as I've ever seen him," the second-year mentor said. "He is hard to tackle.
With Garrison on the mend, Alston steps up: VIDEO - Times West Virginian
But as we found out last year, you can’t just go into a season with one running back. You need to have a bunch of them.
Donovan Miles Seizes Opportunity as WVU Fullback - WVillustrated
Fifth-year senior makes position switch in final chance to make an impact for WVU. See why Miles feels his imprint will reach beyond a season at fullback.
On An Island - MSNsportsNET.Com
Junior Brodrick Jenkins is getting prepared for life in the Big 12 this fall.
Lageman has come a long way for WVU - Charleston Daily Mail
"But now it's really paying off huge, the possibility of maybe being a starter or at least a mainstay player. It's a huge accomplishment for me."
Anderson moves to D-line - Daily Athenaeum
The defensive end position was never something Tyler Anderson ever considered as a possible landing spot for his talent.
True freshman makes an impact for WVU - Charleston Daily Mail
Karl Joseph looms like the next big thing on West Virginia's defense
WVU's Bruce sees change for the better - Charleston Gazette
"We only have one other person at Sam: Nick Kwiatkoski," Bruce said. "So we'll both see a lot of playing time."
Remembering A Fallen Teammate - WVMETRONEWS.COM
KJ Myers was a HS teammate of Minnesota's Gary TInsley, who passed away recently
IR Tavon Austin - Mountaineer TV
Tavon Austin talks about his overall performance during last season, and the things he's worked on to become even better this year.
Sportsline Interview: David Ubben - WVMETRONEWS.COM
ESPN.com Big 12 Blogger David Ubben was a guest on the MetroNews Statewide Sportsline to talk about West Virginia heading into the Big 12 Conference
WVi Talks With Big 12 Blogger David Ubben - WVillustrated
WVi's Scott Grayson sat down and talked with espn.com Big 12 blogger David Ubben.
WVi Talks With Big 12 Blogger David Ubben Part 2 - WVillustrated
Photo Gallery IX: Spring Football - BGN
Recruiting:
Multi-Science Publishing - Journal Article
study found that in the SEC, Big 10, and Big 12, 63% to 80% of success resulted from recruiting well.
WVU Looking At Texas Offensive Guard - WVMETRONEWS.COM
offensive guard Maurice Porter.
Around the League (and Beyond):
SPRING GAME: Prairie Springer on Offense - Wide Right & Natty Lite
Kansas Football Press Conference: Charlie Weis And A Jayhawk Spring Update - Rock Chalk Talk
Next Year's Spring Game On The Sooner Network? - Crimson And Cream Machine
Questions are few along O-line - LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Snyder urges Wildcats to press for success - Wichita Eagle
Oklahoma State Football Practice Report – April 9 - Oklahoman
NCAA Accepts Baylor's Self-Imposed Penalties: No Further Sanctions - Our Daily Bears
What's On Tap:
Dates Announced for 2012 Coaches Caravan - MSNsportsNET.Com
The caravan, an annual tour of the state, affords MAC members and Mountaineer fans the chance to meet, greet and visit with WVU coaches and administrators. All proceeds from the caravan benefit the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the MAC’s scholarship fund.
Can WVU get 30,000 people at spring game? - Daily Athenaeum
Second-year head coach Dana Holgorsen is attempting to change the culture of spring football at West Virginia.
Video of Interest:
ESPN.com David Ubben stops by and K.J. Myers remembers one of his fallen teammtes.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a model from Moldova. Here's today's gallery of Xenia Deli (click on the picture).
via nextround.net
Stiegl image via farm1.static.flickr.com
