Mountaineer Morning Links: Kansas State Pre-Game (1/11/13) Edition

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 Wildcat Wheat Ale, in preparation for tomorrow's opponent.

What You May Have Missed:

WVU Selected Finalist in Best Road Trip Contest - WVU Athletics
Voting for the 10 finalists opened Jan. 9 with the winner to be completely fan-determined through Facebook voting at Facebook.com/BestofCollegeBasketball.

Former WVU Defenders Praise Tony Gibson - WVillustrated
One of Gibson's former students who says he is excited to welcome the coach back to the old gold and blue is Larry Williams, who spent five years learning from the once and future WVU position coach.

Irvin Ready For Starting Role - BGN/AP
Bruce Irvin has always fed off the doubt of others, whether it came as he tried to turn his life around as a youth or when he was panned as being a reach when the Seattle Seahawks drafted him in the first round last April.

News of Note:

Huggins’ message to Mountaineers: Find a way - Charleston Daily Mail
It was the toughest and most resolute the Mountaineers had collectively played this season.

WVU needs to show its nasty side - Charleston Gazette
"That's what we do. We just hit 'em, hit 'em, hit 'em, hit 'em, hit 'em,'' Kilicli said, hammering his fist each time for emphasis.

Has WVU tapped into its toughness? - WV MetroNews
“Hopefully we keep this style of play up; this is how we’ve go to play,” Kilicli said.

HERTZEL COLUMN: Huggins gets his team back - Times West Virginian
Oh, they didn’t play great. That has to come later. The shooting was atrocious. But ...

FURFARI COLUMN: WVU tops Texas with neat reversal - Times West Virginian
Instead of blowing a second-half lead, they rallied and refused to fold.

WVU Men’s Basketball: Kansas State Preview - WVillustrated
The Mountaineers face their first ranked Big 12 team Saturday at the Coliseum.

Around the League (and Beyond):

Baylor Stadium footprint starting to take shape... - Our Daily Bears

Late-game strategy brings questions - Ames Tribune

Ben McLemore Does What He Wants When He Wants As Kansas Avoids Iowa State Upset - Rock Chalk Talk

K-State’s Klein, Malone to play in East-West Shrine Game - Manhattan Mercury

Oklahoma Underclassmen Jumping Ship For NFL - Crimson And Cream Machine

Running back Joseph Randle to enter NFL Draft - Oklahoman (autoplay video)

We're Texas? - Barking Carnival

Notes On A Scorecard - TCU Horned Frogs Official Athletic Site

Texas Tech's Eric Ward to Return for Senior Season - Viva The Matadors

As bowl attendance dips, college football leaders mull changes - Stewart Mandel - SI.com

Hoop Thoughts - Seth Davis - SI.com

What's On Tap:

(18) Kansas State Wildcats vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - ESPN
1:30 pm Saturday from the Oliver Garden on YES, MASN2 & ESPN3

Texas Longhorns vs. Iowa State Cyclones - ESPN
2 pm Saturday from Hilton Coliseum on ESPNU

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Oklahoma Sooners - ESPN
3 pm Saturday from the Noble Center on ESPN2/3

Video of Interest:

In this edition of the United Bank Bob Huggins Playbook Tony talks with the coach about the big comeback victory over Texas Wednesday evening and previews the K-State Wildcats as they come to the Coliseum on Saturday.

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is an Aussie VS Angel. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Miranda Kerr.