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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 by Rugen Brau until I can come up with a permanent image for this space.
May I first draw your attention to the main page, right side-bar, just below the fanposts, where the football schedule is finally up to date (and what a glorious schedule it is). We've got news and notes from both the football and basketball teams, including another transfer from Coach Huggins' program. Another Mountaineer has his name added to a pre-season watch list and we have several updates from WVUPros as well. All of this, a Big 12 roundup and more...
Programming Note: No regular Shotgun/Throwdowns next week as I'm getting my batteries recharged in time for the football season rush. The other guys will do their best to keep you occupied though.
What You May Have Missed:
WVU's Luck on lessons learned, Holgorsen contract, etc. - Charleston Gazette
Quasi-notebook, includes this tidbit: "What we'd like to do is honor some of our ex-players and coaches in the East and West concourses." Luck acknowledged his vision is for a Ring of Honor.
Pastilong proud of his time at WVU - Martinsburg Journal
He noted that during the 37-year stretch he worked for and also with not only outstanding staffs, but many highly regarded people.
Men's Basketball: Forsythe to Transfer - WVUsports.com
More on this from Country Roads later today
99 College Hoops Thoughts, Facts And Predictions For The 2012-13 Season - SBNation.com
WVU has a couple of mentions, but #84 is the prize
Miles Building Toward Second Season with Mountaineers - Wvillustrated
As a freshman, Miles started in 30 of the team's 33 games, but averaged fewer minutes than six of his teammates and finished with just 1.4 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
Keaton Miles Greentree Highlights (Video) - WVillustrated
Mountaineer forward nears a double-double in overtime win at Pittsburgh Pro Am Summer League.
Bruce Irvin "Opening Plenty of Eyes" in Seattle - WVU Pros
His speed and work ethic has shown through during mini-camps and OTA’s in starter Chris Clemons’ absence.
Kevin Jones Will Not Play In the NBA Summer League - WVU Pros
Kevin Jones will sit out this summer's Summer League in Las Vegas. We tell you why.
Jones hopes to make Cleveland Cavaliers' roster - Charleston Daily Mail
Yet later this month he'll be playing host to a three-day event at George Washington High School.
Devin Ebanks To Re-Sign With L.A. For One-Year - WVU Pros
The team recently offered him a one-year, $1 million tender causing him to be a restricted free-agent.
The Syracuse - West Virginia Rivalry Is Over But Not Forgotten - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Strip away the fact that they're the West Virginia Mountaineers and we're the Syracuse Orange and we don't like each other very much, the last decade or so of West Virginia football has been a pretty interesting saga.
News of Note:
After a big win, West Virginia takes its game to the bigger stage of the Big 12 - Oklahoman
One of the monumental victories in school history converges with elevation to a high-profile conference. It’s a perfect storm for coach Dana Holgorsen and the Mountaineers.
The Big 12's next great coaches - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
That earned Dana Holgorsen a heck of a first job -- West Virginia -- and earns him my pick as the Big 12's biggest rising star in the coaching profession.
HERTZEL COLUMN: WVU football: Contention for national title? - Times West Virginian
It seems that the awesome nature of the Orange Bowl left everyone remembering only the perfection of the final moments of the season and not the flaws that should present at least a dusting of doubt over the coming season, magnified by the move into the unknown of the Big 12.
Bailey Still has Something to Prove - WVillustrated
Despite his breakout season last year, Stedman Bailey still feels as though he has something to prove
Eger Wants 'Nasty' O-line - WVUsports.com
Bedenbaugh wants his players to be technicians for sure, but he never wants his guys’ brains to tie up their feet. Eger explains.
Looking For A Rose On The Line - WVMETRONEWS.COM
One of the guys hoping to work himself into the mix along the line is redshirt-freshman Kyle Rose.
’Eers’ Level expects more passing in Big 12 this year - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
WVU defensive back battles for starting role
Best College Football Nicknames ft. "Honey Badger" - Lost Letterman
Geno is on here
Football: Bitancurt Named to Groza Watch List - WVUsports.com
Add his name to the growing list of Mountaineers being "watched"
Around the League (and Beyond):
Road trip planning time is here - Bring On The Cats
Breaking News: TIF Board Approves Money for New Stadium - Our Daily Bears
K-State uses transparency to rebuild trust and get its financial house in order - Kansas City Star
Paul Rhoads' Rejected ESPY Speech - Wide Right & Natty Lite
Kansas Football 2012: What Are You Expecting from Dayne Crist? - Rock Chalk Talk
Oklahoma Football: 5 Key Players For Success In 2012 - Crimson And Cream Machine
UT's Kicking Game, and A Possible 2014 Target - Burnt Orange Nation
TCU Linebacker Group Takes Another Hit - Frogs O' War
Where to Rank Texas Tech? College Football's Biggest Question Mark - Double-T Nation
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
Mandel lists his "Pecking Order" and WVU has moved up to the land of "Barons"
Northwestern Hates Fun, Purdue Fun Doesn't Exist - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
B1G school mascots doing "Call Me Maybe"...when will these people learn?
How much money does FSU need to support an elite football program? - Tomahawk Nation
Future Big 12 brethren?
Orange Bowl loss still haunts Clemson Tigers - Yardbarker
Hehehehe
Video of Interest:
For the third consecutive year, the Big 12 conducted its annual leadership summit. 40 student-athletes representing various sports from all member schools gathered in Lubbock for activities, discussions and speakers. The goal was to improve their leadership skills for not only their time on campus but for the rest of their lives.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Now we know how many rubber bands it takes to destroy a watermelon (and knowing is half the battle):
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a Canadian model who's done work for SI, among others. HERE'S today's gallery of the exquisite Kim Cloutier.