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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 today by Highland Brewing's Little Hump Spring Ale, in honor of both Hump Day and the first (calendar) day of spring.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Wednesday, March 20 - WV MetroNews
WVU football players give their take on spring practice, and Kevin Rogers of VegasInsider.com previews the NCAA basketball bracket.
WVU radio deal is rare - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia Radio pays MSN and WVU no money for the rights.
WVU Falls to Marshall - WVU Athletics
Marshall posted an 8-0 win over WVU on Tuesday night in Charleston.
Delaware’s Delle Donne a force unlike any other - Daily Athenaeum
A collective sigh of relief was let out when the West Virginia women’s basketball team found out it did, in fact, earn an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament.
March not the same without WVU participating - Daily Athenaeum
But let’s be honest, it’s still simply not the same experience as when it’s your school battling for survival through the daunting tournament stages.
Cleveland Browns will hold private workout with QB Geno Smith - Cleveland Plain Dealer
Browns CEO Joe Banner said at the NFL meetings today that quarterback is not the focus at No. 6, but he didn't rule out taking one early, late or in the middle of NFL Draft 2013.
Draft Lab: Quarterbacks - ESPN Video - ESPN
ESPN Video: Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay discuss the quarterbacks in the 2013 NFL draft.
Tavon Austin to meet with Bengals, Dolphins, and Patriots - WVU Pros
To no one’s surprise, Tavon Austin has drawn the eyes of many NFL scouts.
Ryan Nehlen "Tests Out the Roof" at WVU Pro Day - WVillustrated
Former Mountaineer receiver puts up team-best numbers and solid workout with NFL eyes watching.
Rodgers was Mountaineers’ greatest all-around athlete - Register-Herald
“Rodg,” as he was affectionately called along with various other nicknames, excelled not only as a fullback in football but also in basketball, baseball and golf.
Smith blazed trail in WVU TV - Times West Virginian
“Everything we have done at West Virginia in the video world started through Nick Smith,” Parsons said
News of Note:
Video blog: Day Five - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
Fine, fine. I’ll talk about the quarterbacks, but nothing I say trumps the lines from Keith Patterson today.
Spring Practice Report: Day 5 - WVSports.com
Head Coach Dana Holgorsen, who normally leads his troops at the onset of every practice, was on the sidelines with Assistant Coach Shannon Dawson and the quarterbacks, running them through a ball security and scrambling drill.
Millard: ‘I want to do great things’ - WV MetroNews
“Me and Ford, we both understand what’s at hand and that the best guy’s going to play,” said Millard
Moore determined to get on the field - Inter-Mountain
Fairmont native seeing time at quarterback and slot receiver for WVU
Garrison: RBs getting equal reps - WV MetroNews
“Toward the end of the season is when I started getting to where I was completely healthy,” said Garrison.
Quick Hits: WVU Gets to Work in Week Two of Spring - WVillustrated
Holgorsen takes part in a drill and the Mountaineers stay physical in another padded practice.
Spring gives Crook time to experiment with offensive line - Charleston Daily Mail
New assistant in first spring with Mountaineers after coming from Stanford
RBs Could Be Strength of Offense - WVU Athletics
WVU may have to rely more on its RBs next season.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Upbringing helps shape WVU’s Clarke - Times West Virginian
“My dad made me want to be someone,” he said.
Hope Springs Back - BGN
West Virginia’s defensive staff continues to shuffle players and positions, most recently sending Garrett Hope to the inside linebacker position after the sophomore started spring drills at spur.
A lesson in history, state pride - WV MetroNews
A weekly parade of speakers, ranging from residents to former coaches and players, educated the team on the citizens who comprise West Virginia, giving real-life impact to the blue-collar mentality that frequently sounds like nothing more than a cliche.
Linebackers, fields and All-Americans - Charleston Gazette
Ye olde notebook
WVU Football Player Quotes - WVU Athletics
Mountaineer football players addressed members of the media on Tuesday night, following the spring football practice
Video: Football Interviews 3/19 - BGN
Garrison, Cook, Millard & Jenkins
VIDEO: WVU Football Player Interviews - WVillustrated
Cook, Banks, Bruce, Arlia, Hope, Garrison & Eger
Recruiting:
Coaches both decry and exploit recruiting rules - Sporting News
“The biggest sham going,” says one BCS coach.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Bears host Long Beach State to open NIT play - Waco Tribune
Cyclones readying themselves for slower-paced Irish - Ames Tribune
Five Keys To a Deep Tournament Run - Rock Chalk Talk
2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament: Guide to Kansas City - Bring On The Cats
Oklahoma basketball: Freshmen's time has arrived - Oklahoman (autoplay video)
NCAA Tournament Preview: When Oklahoma State has the ball - Cowboys Ride For Free
PF Jaylen Bond requests a transfer from the Texas Longhorns - Barking Carnival
Bellmont, Failing The Texas Standard - Barking Carnival
Hey Girl, Still Got It - Viva The Matadors
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a South African stunner who's been featured in the last four Sports Illustrated Swimsuit editions. She also just completed her first half marathon in NYC on Sunday to raise money and awareness for Autism Speaks. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Genevieve Morton. HERE'S a bonus gallery.