Mountaineer Morning Links: Monday (4/1/13) 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 Exe Valley Brewery's Spring Beer.

What You May Have Missed:

Gold and Blue Now:Monday, April 1 - WV MetroNews
In this edition of Gold and Blue Now we hear from Johnathan Mayo of MLB.com who talks about Jedd Gyorko, Randy Mazey talks about the...

Furfari Column: WVU big in the red - Martinsburg Journal
Dear Mickey, this horse is dead....please move on. The comparisons you're making now have no merit, due to the impending revenue gains from membership in the Big 12 that you conveniently overlook.

Borman Discusses MAC Reseating Policy - WVU Athletics
A Q&A session with MAC's executive director.

Hamric Shatters School Record - WVU Athletics
WVU completes competition at the Stanford Invitational.

Gyorko makes opening-day roster - WV MetroNews
Four homers, error-free defense highlight former WVU star's spring.

Gyorko Now the Face of West Virginia Baseball - WVU Athletics
Jedd Gyorko to make his MLB debut on Monday.

Ex-WVU QB White hoping to catch on again in NFL - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
White's comeback efforts motivated him to participate at West Virginia's pro day March 14.

HERTZEL COLUMN: White not respected in ranking - Times West Virginian
Bob takes this as if a ranking by the Bleacher Report actually means something other than baiting for pageviews in their gallery

Pre-Draft News:

Tavon Austin could climb into the top 10 of the NFL Draft - WVU Pros
Chris Burke of SI.com put out a great, informative article about possible trades you could see in the first round of next month's NFL Draft. Here is what he said about Austin.

HERTZEL COLUMN: Austin’s draft stock is rising - Times West Virginian
“Tavon Austin is a flat-out stud. I know he’s small ... but man is he a player. I watched him in the Pro Day. He barely broke a sweat,” McShay said.

HERTZEL COLUMN: Bailey worth a high NFL draft pick - Times West Virginian
To understand just how wonderful a receiver Bailey is, you have to take into account exactly what he did at WVU.

2013 NFL draft -- Geno Smith to visit Kansas City Chiefs on Monday - ESPN
Former West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, projected by many to be the first quarterback selected in April's NFL draft, is scheduled to visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday.

Geno Smith and Stedman Bailey together in the NFL? - WVU Pros
Could these best friends go from playing together in high school to college and now to the NFL?

News of Note:

WVU in Unfamiliar Territory - WVillustrated
Every year since then, the Mountaineers have been among the favorites to win their conference and go on to a BCS bowl. That didn't happen every year, but the expectation was there nevertheless.

Patterson Ignores Past, Pushes Toward Future for WVU - WVillustrated
Mountaineers' defensive coordinator says he hasn't thought at all about last season, but it's his task to fix it.

WVU secondary work in progress - Times West Virginian
“I know what it takes to develop corners, and the No. 1 thing for corner play is you need a group of fearless players out there,” Mitchell said.

Fundamentals first for WVU corners - WV MetroNews
New assistant Brian Mitchell hoping to build confidence among unit that was torched weekly in 2012.

Hope finds comfort at linebacker - Charleston Daily Mail
The plan now for defensive coordinator Keith Patterson is to find a full-time spot for Hope among the linebackers.

Isaiah Bruce Taking on Leadership Role for WVU - WVillustrated
Sophomore linebacker stepping up as Mountaineers look to buck bad trends defensively and show improvement under Keith Patterson.

Mountaineer defense needs to learn from its mistakes - Charleston Gazette
As West Virginia resumes spring practice this week after a lull for spring break, some of the most important work is being done on the defensive side of things.

Huggins Says New Players Address Needs - WVillustrated
Four new players are coming in and Huggins believes they will add greatly to what the Mountaineers will do on the floor.

Huggins' challenge to be played out soon - Charleston Gazette
What WVU needs is a point guard that can shoot. Whether the school can find one or not remains to be seen.

McBroom’s Clutch Hits Lead to Sweep - WVU Athletics
Today's wins improve WVU’s record to 15-13 overall (3-3 Big 12) and the Mountaineers have now won their last six contests.

VIDEO: WVU Baseball Interviews - WVillustrated
Junior first baseman Ryan McBroom hit a home run to tie the game and a single to win the game, 4-3, as the WVU baseball team completed a four-game sweep of New Orleans on Saturday afternoon at Hawley Field

Around the League (and Beyond):

Women's NCAA Tournament: Louisville downs the #1 Baylor Lady Bears - Our Daily Bears

BREAKING: Fred Hoiberg Named Dictator For Life - Wide Right & Natty Lite

Jayhawks bemoan end for seniors - Lawrence Journal World

Weber, Cats focus on moving forward - Manhattan Mercury

Overanalyzing the Oklahoma Drill Video - Crimson And Cream Machine

Jason Ray thankful to coach at Oklahoma State - Oklahoman

Texas Longhorns spring football: Recapping the Orange-White game - Burnt Orange Nation

Walk on down: Tech 8, TCU 7 - Frogs O' War

Reports: Tubby Smith In Negotiations With Texas Tech - Viva The Matadors

How did the Big 12 Conference let Louisville get away? - Oklahoman (autoplay video)
F the 'Ville

Michigan's trip to Final Four a victory for coach John Beilein and traditionalists - Yahoo! Sports

Video of Interest:

Head coach Randy Mazey discusses the Mountaineers victory in a doubleheader against New Orleans, winning 5-1 in game one, and 4-3 in game two. The Mountaineers swept the four-game series against New Orleans, and take to the field again on Tuesday, April 2nd, at home against Marshall. First pitch is scheduled for 6pm.

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is an American VS Angel. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Erin Heatherton.