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 Brew Dog's Tactical Nuclear Penguin.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Monday, Feb. 24 - WV MetroNews
In this edition of Gold and Blue Now, we look back to Saturday’s loss to Baylor as we hear from Bob Huggins and Juwan Staten.
Watch Bria Holmes Wearing the Jersey - WVU Athletics
This week's Wearing the Jersey profiles promising sophomore guard Bria Holmes of the 13th-ranked West Virginia University women's basketball team
No. 1 Rifle Shoots at NCAA Qualifying Match - WVU Athletics
The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University rifle team shot a team aggregate 4691 at an NCAA Qualifying match
Baseball Drops Series at San Diego State - WVU Athletics
The WVU baseball team dropped a three-game series at SDSU.
Advertising Displays to be Added to WVU Venues - WVU Athletics
Improved fan experience at Coliseum, Milan Puskar Stadium.
ICYMI: @WVUHockey beat Pitt 4-3 in OT to claim CHMA Conference Championship. pic.twitter.com/95VRzHQslY (via @Chettigirl)
— SmithFire13 (@SmithFire13) February 24, 2014
News of Note:
Hoops
WVU basketball: Coach question team's commitment - Charleston Daily Mail
Huggins wonders if players actually study opponents
WVU basketball: Huggins questions Mountaineers' 'commitment to excellence' - Charleston Daily Mail
If the actions during an 88-75 loss to Baylor didn't illustrate the predicament the Mountaineers find themselves in late in a season that's suddenly heading in a very different direction than it was two weeks ago, than the words left no secret about what's happening inside the Coliseum.
Huggins questions team’s commitment - Charleston Gazette
"It takes commitment on their part," Huggins said. "We go out and you know a guy is going to drive right because he hasn't driven left all year. And then when you let him drive right, that's not much of a commitment.
Chuck McGill: WVU's big chance is in the post, and slipping - Charleston Daily Mail
The former is a shaky proposition for West Virginia - especially in regards to the NCAA men's basketball tournament - and the latter is why the team's position on the bubble is tenuous, at best.
WVU needs to be strong in last stretch - Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia men’s basketball team was already facing a tall order in regards to its NCAA tournament chances this season, but the Mountaineers’ loss to Baylor Saturday afternoon has turned this already uphill battle into a virtual K2 ascent.
Football
Holgorsen Excited About Spring Ball - WVU Athletics
WVU coach ready to get on the field and work with a full roster.
Hard not to like new WVU assistant Bradley - Charleston Gazette
Let me tell you things you may not read anywhere else.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Bradley adds intrigue to Mountaineer coaching staff - Times West Virginian
The smile is put there by a couple of announcements that came out of West Virginia University’s football office on the completion of Dana Holgorsen’s football coaching staff for the coming season – and we limit it to the coming season because Holgorsen’s track record with assistant coaches makes it foolish to look beyond one year.
After 20 years in coaching, Gibson ‘the recruiter’ gets chance to be coordinator - WV MetroNews
Holgorsen takes a risk by installing a first-time Division I coordinator, but there's logic behind the move.
Holgorsen: Fans will be ‘pleasantly surprised’ by team WVU produces - WV MetroNews
Quarterback Clint Trickett will miss spring, but a number of injured players were cleared to return.
Crook has found comfort zone as WVU line coach - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
What a difference a year makes.
Holgorsen is high on Molinari - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
"He (Molinari) is a workout warrior," Holgorsen said.
WATCH: WVU Football Video Interviews with Assistant Coaches - WVillustrated
Crook, Mitchell, Cogdell & Gibby
Recruiting:
WVU dips into Florida for another 2015 commitment - WV MetroNews
Cornerback Kevin Williams of Pompano Beach has offers from Florida and Syracuse.
WVU recruiting: Florida DB commits to Mountaineers - Charleston Gazette
West Virginia continued to add to its haul for the football recruiting Class of 2015 on Friday when defensive back Kevin Williams of Blanche Ely, Fla., pledged to the Mountaineers.
Twins commit to WVU - WVSports.com
West Virginia picked up two 2015 verbal commitments Saturday at the Mountaineers second junior day when a set of twin brothers pledged to Dana Holgorsen's football program.
Maryland twins become latest commitments to WVU’s budding 2015 class - WV MetroNews
Jacquez Adams (left) and his brother Jordan are three-star prospects who could play receiver or defensive back in college.
Staying together - WVSports.com
Twin brothers Jordan and Jacquez Adams have always done everything together for as long as the two can remember, so it only made sense to do the same when it came time to make their college commitments.
Another Wolfley on board - WVSports.com
Morgantown (W.Va.) freshman linebacker Maverick Wolfley has always dreamt of playing football for West Virginia. Now he'll have that opportunity after committing to the Mountaineers during the junior day festivities.
Morgantown High freshman Maverick Wolfley commits to WVU for 2017 - WV MetroNews
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound ninth-grade linebacker jumps at chance to join family tradition.
Pro News:
Charles Sims' NFL Combine Results - WVU Pros
Seen as a possible 3rd Round pick headed into the weekend, Sims' performance may have elevated him to a 2nd Round grade after running a blistering 4.48 in the 40-yard dash.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Bears patch NCAA bubble resume, 88-75 - Waco Tribune
Men’s Basketball: Notebook — No record this time, but Ejim finds ways to contribute - Ames Tribune
Defensive decapitation keys Jayhawks' thumping of Texas - Lawrence Journal World
OU basketball: Sooners are not ready to concede anything - Oklahoman (autoplay)
OSU basketball: Quick turnarounds have been a killer for Cowboys - Oklahoman (autoplay)
Remolding the Texas Longhorns Fanbase - Barking Carnival
TCU assistant AD resigns in wake of Texas A&M comments - Dallas-Fort Worth Star Telegram
Tubby Smith quietly turning Red Raider basketball into a force - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
Bret Bielema explains his rationale behind proposed NCAA rule change - Andy Staples - SI.com
Kliff Kingsbury takes verbal shot at Nick Saban - FOX Sports on MSN
"The last three losses he's had had have been against up-tempo teams. I'll leave it at that," Kingsbury said
What's On Tap:
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. TCU Horned Frogs - ESPN
7 pm tonight from the DMC on ESPNU/3
Oklahoma Sooners vs. (8) Kansas Jayhawks - Preview - ESPN
9 pm tonight from the Phog on ESPN/ESPN3
Video of Interest:
E. Gordon Gee has returned to West Virginia University with style. If you've ever wondered how to tie a bow tie or why he is known to wear them, this video is for you. This story (http://wvutoday.wvu.edu/#&panel1-1) may be, too.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a model from New Zealand. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Jessica Clarke.