Mountaineer Morning Links: Tuesday (3/26/13) 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 Bucanero Fuerte Cerveza, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.

What You May Have Missed:

Gold and Blue Now: Tuesday, March 26 - WV MetroNews
In this edition of Gold and Blue Now Brian Mitchell says his NFL experience is helping him connect with the players, Pat White says he...

Four Gymnasts Ranked Nationally - WVU Athletics
The Mountaineers (13-9, 1-3) rank just outside the top 25 this week at No. 26 (195.78).

Nugent Named Athlete of the Week - WVU Athletics
Varsity Sports Report

How High Does Geno Go? - Scout.com
Just how high will quarterback Geno Smith be taken in the NFL Draft? Here's the FoxSportsNext/ Scout.com NFL Draft Mock 2.0.

West Virginia's Tavon Austin Invited To NFL Draft - WVillustrated
WVU has never had two players taken in the first round of the NFL draft in the same year. That could change next month.

Stedman Bailey gets Torry Holt's approval - WVU Pros
The former member of the Greatest Show on Turf gives WVU's Stedman Bailey his approval and a little advice.

Pat White to hold workout with the 49ers - WVU Pros
The next stop on White's Relaunch tour could see him backing up the rising star in Kaepernick and possibly push him for a starting spot.

News of Note:

Deniz kills the 2013 team - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
More on this shortly

Mountaineers' soul-searching has begun - Charleston Gazette

Improved Pitching a Boost to WVU - WVU Athletics
Mountaineers 3-3 after two weeks of Big 12 play.

Musgrave Earns National, Big 12 Honors - WVU Athletics
He was named a Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week, while also earning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week honors.

Spring Has Sprung (3/25) — The Solid Verbal: Living College Football
Along with Bruce Feldman, they talk Dana and WVU at length. Thanks to Couch Burner for the heads up.

Eger eager to learn at center - Charleston Gazette
When Pat Eger found out he was being asked to play the only position on the offensive line he'd never played before, the first thing he did was seek counsel.

Banks back in natural position for Mountaineers - Charleston Daily Mail
His redshirt junior season will begin in the fall. Because of a year of prep school, he is already 22 years old. Yet forgive West Virginia's Ishmael Banks if he feels a little like a freshman

Recruiting:

Chris Godwin recruit scouting report: tough, physical receiver - SBNation.com
Chris Godwin is the top recruits in the state of Delaware and one of the best wide receivers in the Class of 2014.

Around the League (and Beyond):

Baylor 2013 DT Andrew Billings breaks Mark Henry's State Powerlifting Record - Our Daily Bears

Once Transfers, Forever Cyclones - Wide Right & Natty Lite

UNC-ya: Halftime speech by seniors — not Bill Self — sparks KU in 70-58 win - Lawrence Journal World

Fair or not, K-State’s season will be viewed through a seven-second prism - Kansas City Star

Oklahoma football notebook: Gabe Ikard will likely miss spring - Oklahoman

Cowboys' future hinges on underclassmen's decisions - Oklahoman (autoplay video)

Texas rebuilding -- not reloading -- for first time under Brown - CBSSports.com

Spring Football Practice Five Things: How's TCU Doing? - And The Valley Shook

Red Raider Gridiron: Hyder Talks Technique and Players Talk Tempo - Viva The Matadors

What's On Tap:

Baseball Travels to Eastern Kentucky - WVU Athletics
First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Field Set for Morgantown Regional - WVU Athletics
2013 National Collegiate Women’s Gymnastics Championships regional selections were announced today, and West Virginia University will compete as the No. 5 seed at the Morgantown Regional, inside the WVU Coliseum, on Saturday, April 6, at 6 p.m.

Video of Interest:

WVU Men's Soccer at Pittsburgh Riverhounds Highlights (March 22, 2013 at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA)

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Want to see the Final Four floor being made from scratch?

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is a Cuban born model who's best known for one of the best rumps in the world. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Vida Guerra.