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 Ballast Point Brewing Company's Habanero Sculpin IPA.
What You May Have Missed:
NAPA Auto Parts Gold and Blue Now: Thursday, May 8 - WV MetroNews
Will Clarke discusses what he was able to show to potential NFL teams the last couple of months. We also hear from the Bleacher Report’s Andrew Garda as he breaks down Charles Sims’ game and where he sees Sims going in this weekend’s NFL Draft.
Graduates in the Spotlight: Hope Sloanhoffer - WVU Athletics
Today's featured athlete is Hope Sloanhoffer from gymnastics.
Minnesota Waives WVU's Asya Bussie - WVillustrated
Just over a week before she was scheduled to make her professional debut, the Minnesota Lynx waived former West Virginia basketball standout Asya Bussie.
WVU's Santucci a Rising Marathon Star - WVU Athletics
Former standout won the Pittsburgh Marathon last Saturday.
Report: Michigan courting West Virginia transfer Eron Harris - Detroit Free Press
Harris is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound guard who averaged 17.2 points and 3.5 rebounds last season and shot 42% from three-point range. He's originally from Indianapolis and said he wants to transfer closer to home.
News of Note:
Baseball
Baseball Travels for Pivotal Series at Kansas - WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University baseball team will travel this weekend for a pivotal series against Big 12 foe Kansas at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence, Kan.
Mazey Turning WVU Baseball Around - EerSports
EerSports caught up with Baseball America's Aaron Fitt to discuss the remarkable turnaround of WVU Baseball under Head Coach Randy Mazey.
Hoops
WVU to Face LSU in SEC-Big 12 Challenge - WVU Athletics
Mountaineers to host LSU at Colisem on Dec. 4.
Mountaineers, LSU to meet in Morgantown - Charleston Gazette
The bulk of West Virginia’s basketball schedule for next season now seems set. And once again, it’s not an easy one.
Don’t shrug off WVU’s home date vs. LSU in SEC/Big 12 Challenge - WV MetroNews
The Tigers went deeper in the NIT than the Mountaineers did and they have talent to be an NCAA contender next season.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Top 25 return for WVU men’s basketball team? - Times West Virginian
There is a writer by the name of Jason McIntyre who writes for a website known The Big Lead, and he decided there was no time like the present than to publish what he called "The 2014-15 College Basketball Top 25 (Very Early Edition)."
Football
Spring 2014 football depth chart analysis: West Virginia Mountaineers - ESPN
West Virginia released its depth chart after the spring but not every question was answered during the 15 practices as the Mountaineers have several position battles, including quarterback, that will last into August.
Big 12 football post-spring breakdown: defensive backs - ESPN
5. West Virginia (pre-spring ranking 5)
Draft News:
Dave Hickman: Waiting for the phone to ring - Charleston Gazette
College football players often daydream about hearing their name called during the NFL draft. The cold, hard reality is that most don’t.
Opinions mixed on where Clarke fits in NFL - Charleston Daily Mail
The NFL Draft begins Thursday with the first of three days of picks and coverage, and it started two weeks later than normal this season, which means the finish is delayed as well.
Mountaineers find a home on NFL draft day - Times West Virginian
The National Football League draft is upon us again. and while there are no West Virginia University players expected to be taken in the first or second rounds – not an unusual situation coming off a 4-8 season – that does not mean the league cannot find usable players in the lower rounds among the Mountaineers available. They usually do.
Will Clarke Says Goodbye to Morgantown as NFL Draft Begins - WVillustrated
Spend a day with the former WVU d-lineman as he visits some of his favorite spots in town before Thursday's Draft gets underway.
Up or down? Depends on which team drafts Clarke - WV MetroNews
Three-year starter at defensive end for WVU could shift to outside linebacker in the NFL.
WVU players in the 2014 NFL Draft - WVU Pros
After a long wait, the 2014 NFL Draft is upon us and several Mountaineers hope to hear their names called this weekend.
2014 NFL Draft Capsules - WVU Pros
As the 2014 NFL Draft comes upon us, we're looking at which players could be drafted to help some of our WVU Pros.
2014 NFL Draft: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers select... - WVU Pros
Finishing out our list of first round draft selections, we'll look at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Green Bay Packers, where Keith Tandy and Don Barclay reside.
NFL Draft First Round picks from the West Virginia Mountaineers - WVU Pros
A list of all West Virginia Mountaineers selected in the first round of the NFL Draft during the modern era.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Workers slice, remove Floyd Casey turf - Waco Tribune
ISU to face Arkansas in SEC/Big 12 Challenge - Ames Tribune
Framework in place for Kansas to have another tough basketball schedule - Kansas City Star
K-State’s Cornelius Lucas tackles NFL Draft stress - Wichita Eagle
Predicting The 2014 NFL Draft | Which Oklahoma Sooners Will Go & Where? - Crimson And Cream Machine
Oklahoma State basketball: Cowboys play South Carolina in SEC/Big 12 Challenge - Oklahoman
Texas Basketball Will Play Kentucky @ Rupp Arena - Barking Carnival
TCU To Face Ole Miss in 2014 SEC/Big 12 Challenge - Frogs O' War
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
What's On Tap:
’Eers are coming to town - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Mountaineer Athletic Club’s Coaches Caravan today
Video of Interest:
In this show, Jeff Culhane talks with Mountaineer head coach Randy Mazey about the final series at Hawley field last weekend and the come from behind victory Tuesday night over Virginia Tech in Princeton.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is beauty from South Africa. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Nicole Meyer.