Mountaineer Morning Links: Friday (3/15/13) Edition

Coverage of WVU's Pro Day, hoops & football notes, WVUPros updates, Big 12 tournament roundup & more

By WVUIE97@WVUIE97 Mar 15, 2013, 9:46am EDT

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 Smithwick's Ale, in anticipation of Sunday's St. Patrick's Day.

What You May Have Missed:

Gold and Blue Now: Friday, March 16 - WV MetroNews
Geno Smith and Stedman Bailey talk about their Pro Day workouts and Pat White talks about returning to football.

WVU women have done enough to get in - Daily Athenaeum
Despite three straight losses and a heartbreaker in the Big 12 Conference Tournament Saturday night, the West Virginia women’s basketball team should make the NCAA Tournament – but not in comfortable fashion during the women’s basketball Selection Show Monday night.

Baseball Opens Big 12 Play - WVU Athletics
West Virginia baseball opens Big 12 play this weekend at Kansas State.

WVU plays first Big 12 baseball game today - Register-Herald
The Mountaineers (7-9) will enter the Big 12 series fresh off an 8-7 win over rival Pitt on Tuesday.

Weekend Baseball Schedule Changes - WVU Athletics
There have been changes to this weekend's schedule.

No. 21 Gymnastics Hosts Regular-Season Finale - WVU Athletics
The No. 21-ranked WVU gymnastics team closes out its regular season at the WVU Coliseum Friday night.

Darius Reynaud re-signs with the Tennessee Titans for one year - WVU Pros
Darius Reynaud will remain in Tennessee as a Titan for one more year after re-signing with the team as reported by Terry McCormick.

Ryan Mundy to sign with the New York Giants - WVU Pros
The first WVUPro to change teams this offseason is a slight surprise, but one that may end up being a great career move for him.

News of Note:

What Next? - WVU Athletics
Bob Huggins will be searching for answers in the off-season.

WVU was not at home in Big 12 - Charleston Daily Mail
Mountaineers finish season with 13-19 record, their worst season since 2002

Disaster over, time to look ahead - Charleston Gazette
Mountaineers facing several necessary roster decisions

Weak and Strong: West Virginia - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Turnover is an annual tradition in college football, but with that, teams' strengths and weaknesses constantly shift, too.

Battle for starting quarterback just getting started - Daily Athenaeum
Spring football is officially underway in Morgantown, and according to head coach Dana Holgorsen, he expects open competition at every position this year.

WVU Offense Has Big Shoes to Fill - WVillustrated
The key components of one of the nation's most explosive offenses will gather in front of NFL scouts to prove they belong on the professional level.

Pro Day:

West Virginia Pro Day: Geno Smith shows first-round stuff - CBSSports
Runs through 62-play script, flashes top-10 talent

Geno Smith "aced his test" at WVU’s Pro Day - WVU Pros
Geno Smith put on an impressive display at WVU's pro day held on Thursday in Morgantown, WV, and it looks like he will get drafted in the top 10 of the NFL Draft.

Jaguars sending huge contingent to West Virginia Pro Day - Big Cat Country
Five of the the biggest decision makers for the Jaguars will all be attending the West Virginia Pro Day on Thursday.

Geno Smith performs at WVU Pro Day - Charleston Daily Mail
Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey and Pat White also worked out in front of NFL scouts

WVU's pro day not all about Geno - Charleston Gazette
With 29 NFL teams sending scouts, coaches and other representatives to West Virginia University for Wednesday's pro day, it would be easy for Geno Smith to feel like the day was all about him.

Smith, receivers show off for scouts at West Virginia pro day - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Smith and his top receivers Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey were the main attraction for workouts and private meetings which stretched from 8:30 a.m. into early afternoon.

Smith impresses scouts on NFL Pro Day - Times West Virginian
"Baylor was probably a little bit better," he would admit

WVU's Smith has impressive pro day - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
"I've always gotten good responses, good feedback (from NFL teams)," Smith said Thursday.

Smith shines under glare of pro day - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
"I guess we’ll see on draft day where that goes."

Smith sharp in pro day display - WV MetroNews
Pro day workouts typically provide quarterbacks with conditions both comfortable and ideal for impressing NFL onlookers, and Geno Smith took advantage Thursday.

West Virginia Pro Day results: Geno Smith not the only one to impress - SBNation.com
Wide receiver J.D. Woods was among the Mountaineers' biggest standouts.

Geno Smith pro day results: QB impresses at West Virginia pro day - SBNation.com
Former West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith reportedly impressed NFL representatives during the school's pro day workouts on Thursday.

Trio of Austin, Smith, and Bailey impress scouts, coaches at NFL Pro Day - Daily Athenaeum
The eyes of the NFL shifted to Morgantown Thursday as Geno Smith, Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey and several other Mountaineers with professional aspirations worked out for NFL scouts, coaches and general managers alike at WVU Pro Day.

Mountaineers Showcase Talents at WVU Pro Day - WVillustrated
See how each Mountaineer performed in Thursday's workout in front of NFL scouts.

Video: Pro Day Interviews - BGN
Pat White, Tavon, Geno, Nehlen, Braun, Madsen and Stedman

VIDEO: WVU Football Interviews from Pro Day - WVillustrated
Geno, Nehlen, Tavon, Stedman, Braun & Francis

Pat White Speaks with the Media About Career "Relaunch" - WVillustrated
Former Mountaineer quarterback has second pro day, discusses factors that led to his departure from and hopeful return to football.

HERTZEL COLUMN: White in hopes of comeback - Times West Virginian
"I am just following my heart," he said.

Pat White drawing interest from NFL and CFL teams - WVU Pros
While the morning session of the pro day was open to the media, the later session with Pat White was closed only to NFL types.

Former WVU QB Jarrett Brown Discusses His Future - WVillustrated
Brown talks about his contract in the CFL and why he decided to throw at pro days for WVU and Marshall.

Photo Gallery: WVU Pro Day 2013 photos - WVSports.com