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 Newcastle Winter IPA.
What You May Have Missed:
Mountaineers Take No. 11 Cyclones by Storm - WVU Athletics
Junior guard Linda Stepney used a career-best scoring outing to help the West Virginia women’s basketball team to a 73-59 win over No. 13/11 Iowa State, Wednesday at the Hilton Coliseum.
West Virginia knocks down 3s, watches No. 13 Cyclones turn cold - WV MetroNews
Linda Stepney's big all-around game helped the Mountaineers win in Ames for the second straight season.
WVU Sports Podcast: Damon Cogdell - WVU Athletics
Jeff Culhane visits with Damon Cogdell
WVU football on a need-to-know basis? - Charleston Gazette
Here's a team that went 4-8 last season and is drawing fewer fans each season. It's a team that has lost 14 of its last 20 games and, in doing so, has disenfranchised a sizable portion of its fan base. OK, so it's also a program and a coach that firmly believe they're on the right track despite all of that - a contention that actually might be true.
Rifle Opens Spring at No. 3 - WVU Athletics
The Mountaineers (6-0, 4-0 GARC) were ranked No. 3 in the Nov. 27 CRCA Poll, the last ranking released. In total, WVU has been slotted at No. 3 in five consecutive polls.
News of Note:
Mike Casazza: WVU is on right path but far from hoped-for destination - Charleston Daily Mail
The most important thing Bob Huggins had to do in the offseason was wave some sort of recruiting magic wand and make his West Virginia men's basketball team more athletic.
Getting In the Gym - BGN
On several occasions this year, West Virginia head basketball coach Bob Huggins has noted the need for players to make time to work out on their own. If some players aren't doing so, who should be ensuring that they mend their ways?
West Virginia Lacks Inside Presence - WVillustrated
Cold shooting and being beat on the glass led to West Virginia suffering its second straight Big 12 conference loss Monday night against the Texas Longhorns, falling 80-69.
Season’s measurement hinges on development, not win-loss record - WV MetroNews
Even an NIT bid seems like too much to ask of WVU right now, so the focus must remain on players getting better.
FURFARI COLUMN: Some observations, facts and opinions - Times West Virginian
Here are a few short items in which you may be interested
Around the League (and Beyond):
Tech upsets Bears for Smith’s 1st Big 12 win, 82-72 - Waco Tribune
Curtis Bray, Iowa State assistant coach, dead at 43 - SBNation.com
Graph Time! Usage vs. Efficiency - Rock Chalk Talk
Southwell shuts down Big 12's leading scorer in K-State victory - Topeka Capital Journal
Oklahoma basketball: Jordan Woodard sits late in Sooners' loss - Oklahoman (autoplay)
No. 9-ranked Cowboys hammer TCU - Oklahoman (autoplay)
Charlie Strong's new Texas Longhorns coaching staff is officially complete - Barking Carnival
Season wrap: TCU Horned Frogs - ESPN
Michael Brewer Announces Plans to Transfer from Texas Tech - Viva The Matadors
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
Video of Interest:
In this edition, Coach Huggins talks with Tony about the shooting woes in the Texas game and previews this weekend's trip to Manhattan to take on the Kansas State Wildcats.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a lovely Dutch model. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Sylvie van der Vaart.