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 Maine Beer Company's Dinner Ale.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Tuesday, June 10 - WV MetroNews
WVU assistant basketball coach Larry Harrison discusses the signing of BillyDee Williams. We also hear from Jed Drenning who believes the offense can carry the load for the Mountaineer football team in 2014.
Open Letter to Mountaineer Nation - WVU Athletics
The O'Bannon case has the potential to be a proverbial game-changer for college athletics. Judge Wilken's decision in this case could come as early as the end of this month since this is a bench trial, i.e., there is no jury.
The NCAA vs. Ed O'Bannon trial explained in under 2 minutes - SBNation.com
Dan Rubenstein reviews what both the NCAA and Ed O'Bannon (and numerous other plaintiffs) are looking to accomplish in what could be a landmark college sports trial, beginning Monday.
A Dream Come True - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Dreams do come true. Just ask Corey Walter.
FURFARI COLUMN: Tackling a variety of topics about WVU sports - Times West Virginian
Stringing together some odds and ends that may interest you:
News of Note:
Football
Crest among 10 new summer enrollees at West Virginia - WV MetroNews
That group of fresh arrivals includes nine freshmen and one graduate transfer, former Pitt cornerback Cullen Christian. A breakdown of who’s here, who’s en route and who’s gone from a recruiting class that Rivals ranked 45th.
Mike Casazza: WVU takes advantage of new summer rules - Charleston Daily Mail
Much has been made of the way the NCAA eased up a little bit in December and gave football programs what they wanted.
WVU FOOTBALL: Mountaineers going extra mile for nutrition - Charleston Daily Mail
WVU, with its soon-to-be 18 varsity sports and 400-plus student-athletes on campus throughout the year, never had a full-time sports dietitian before Nettie Freshour was promoted from a consultant’s role last year.
Basketball
WVU BASKETBALL: Huggins undergoes surgery; Mountaineers welcome juco transfer - Charleston Daily Mail
Bob Huggins was a busy basketball coach Monday. Huggins completed the incoming recruiting class by signing a junior college transfer and had his right hip surgically replaced to help him roam the sidelines.
Mitch Vingle: Staten, Holton visit South Charleston - Charleston Gazette
Monday was a busy day in regard to WVU hoops.
Eron Harris’s dad says Michigan State is a better fit than WVU - Charleston Daily Mail
High-scoring guard Eron Harris is transferring to Michigan State from West Virginia.
Huggins Focused on Future as Harris Moves to MSU - WVillustrated
A month after delivering a "state of the program" address regarding transfers, Huggins has tossed aside his rearview mirrors with his attention on what's next for WVU.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Harris finds new home at Michigan St. - Times West Virginian
Interesting he should wind up under Tom Izzo at Michigan State, who may be the only coach in America as intense as Huggins and who also stresses defense as strongly as does Huggins.
Recruiting:
Huggins Signs Juco Wing - WVU Athletics
West Virginia University basketball coach Bob Huggins has announced that Billydee Williams has signed a grant in aid for the 2014-15 academic year.
West Virginia lands QB commit - EerSports
Chris Chugunov impressed West Virginia’s staff at camp on Sunday to earn an offer. It didn’t take him long to hop on it and commit.
WVU Gets QB Verbal - BGN
West Virginia has received its latest verbal commitment as head coach Dana Holgorsen gains another quarterback.
WVU Football: QB Chugunov verbally commits - Charleston Gazette
On the day when a sizeable portion of West Virginia’s 2014 recruiting class reported for duty, the Mountaineers apparently filled one of their needs for the 2015 class as well.
QB mentor calls WVU commit ‘most under-recruited kid on the East Coast’ - WV MetroNews
New Jersey three-star prospect Chris Chugunov becomes the Mountaineers' 11th commitment for 2015.
Big 12 college football recruiting scorecard - ESPN
Here's the latest in recruiting around the Big 12 with summer camps in full swing
Pro News:
WVUPros Summer Preview: Stedman Bailey - WVUPros
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey finds himself in a tough predicament but it shouldn’t delay any type of progress for the upcoming season, as head coach Jeff Fisher has large expectations for the West Virginia receiver.
Coal Burning Stove: Gyorko's injury one that athletes have had to overcome - WVUPros
The San Diego Padres recently sent Jedd Gyorko to the 15-Day Disabled List with plantar fasciitis.
Mountaineer Diamond Review: Tyler Kuhn remains for Winnipeg Goldeyes - WVUPros
Before that new crop of WVUPros begin their professional baseball careers, we’ll get you updated on the current players as we again start in the Great White North instead of in the Major or Minor Leagues.
Robert Sands joins the Edmonton Eskimos - WVUPros
The "Predator" is on the loose in Edmonton.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Leaked: Baylor Football Conditioning Drills Guide - Our Daily Bears
Hoiberg finds replacement for assistant coach Sadler - Des Moines Register
Heralded recruit Cliff Alexander quietly begins his basketball career at Kansas - Kansas City Star
K-State basketball announces nonconference schedule - Topeka Capital Journal
Stoops will make most of time - Oklahoman
OKLAHOMA STATE FOOTBALL: Glenn Spencer as Robin Hood? - Cowboys Ride For Free
Know Your Horns: Reviewing Texas Baseball 2014 - Burnt Orange Nation
Edwards no longer part of Tech football, track and field teams - Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Running the table likely not enough for Group of 5 - Sporting News
What's On Tap:
Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game Tickets on Sale - WVU Athletics
Tickets for West Virginia’s appearance in the 2014 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game are now on sale through the Mountaineer Ticket Office
WVU’s Countdown to Kickoff: Day 81 Darrell Miller - WVUPros
Continuing on with our 100 day countdown to WVU’s season opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide, we have reached day 81, the number once worn by Mountaineer wide receiver, Darrell Miller.
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is the very definition of a Greek goddess. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Georgia Salpa.