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 Dogfish Head's Rosabi IPA.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Monday, June 16 - WV MetroNews
Allan Taylor looks back at what the Big 12 conference could have looked like without Texas and Oklahoma. We also hear from Big12Sports.com’s Wendell Barnehouse as he gives an early favorite to win the conference this fall on the gridiron.
Track Concludes Season at NCAA Finals - WVU Athletics
"As we leave Eugene, we will leave knowing that our week was a huge success," says coach Sean Cleary. "We brought three young ladies to the nationals and all three qualified for the finals. All three return home with All-America distinctions and exceeded by far their ranking coming into the meet."
Baseball draft takes toll on Mountaineers - Charleston Gazette
"You never know. The draft is such an unpredictable event,’’ Mazey said. "We could have easily had a few more guys get drafted.’’
Ranking The Programs: #16 - BGN
Our rankings of the athletic programs at West Virginia University begins with one that has struggled mightily over the past few years while enduring a coaching change.
Cameron a Mountaineer Connection as U.S. Begins World Cup Play - WVillustrated
Former WVU defender Geoff Cameron suits up for the U.S. national team Monday night in Brazil, head coach Marlon LeBlanc reflects on their relationship.
News of Note:
Luck: "Optimism High for Big XII, WVU Athletics in 2014" - WVillustrated
Oliver Luck has already changed WVU Athletics in several ways, and does not plan on stopping anytime soon.
Mike Casazza: WVU aims to stay ahead of the curve as NCAA changes loom - Charleston Daily Mail
Let us remember for a moment that while West Virginia was left out of the first waves of conference realignment, the Mountaineers have never lacked an understanding of the way the landscape changes around and beneath them.
Summer Sessions - BGN
WVU cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell has been busy working through the first weeks of allowable summer sessions with his players. He, along with the rest of the staff, have highlighted a couple of areas they want to focus on during the new time allotted to in-person coaching.
WVU faces rugged slate of non Big-12 foes - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
With the new College Football Playoff system replacing the Bowl Championship Series, strength of schedule may be the lead topic of discussion for the 13-person committee that was selected to pick the four programs that will battle for the 2014 national title.
WVU's Top Opponent Player Countdown: No.'s 10-6 - WVSports.com
Between a rigorous Big 12 Conference schedule in addition to taking on perennial national title contender Alabama and boarder rival Maryland, the Mountaineers will be tasked with taking on some of the nation's best talent. Our countdown continues into the Top 10 with No.'s 10 thru 6:
HERTZEL COLUMN: Huggins’ hip surgery symbol for turning over new leaf at WVU - Times West Virginian
QUESTION: What does former President George H. W. Bush, actress Jane Fonda, singer Billy Joel, rocker Eddie Van Halen, former football player Mike Ditka and West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins have in common?
ANSWER: New hips.
Mitch Vingle: Huggins, Duhon and a ‘wild’ West Virginian - Charleston Gazette
The views from here:
Harris ‘just didn’t feel like my life was whole’ at West Virginia - WV MetroNews
"At West Virginia, I just didn’t feel like my life was whole," he said. "The basketball part was going pretty well, but I felt stressed in some other areas."
Recruiting:
Chugunov said in-person workout convinced WVU’s Dawson - WV MetroNews
Three-star New Jersey commitment said Mountaineers coaches leave door open to adding a second quarterback for 2015.
Evaluating WVU's Incoming JUCO Talent - WVSports.com
Head Coach Bob Huggins was forced to hit the recruiting trail hard in the months of April, May and June due to the attrition in his program. In doing so, Huggins and his staff reeled in Tarik Phillip, Jaysean Paige and BillyDee Williams, three junior college standouts late in the recruiting cycle.
Pro News:
Colts' Pat McAfee donates $35k in scholarships to military families - WVUPros
Former WVU and current Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee made himself a group of new fans with his generosity, not his football ability, this week.
WVU basketball players leaving their mark on the world - Times West Virginian
We remember the days when John Flowers was playing basketball at West Virginia, living life above the rim, blocking shots and creating some monstrous dunks.
Da'Sean Butler Named Forward of the Year in Belgium - EerSports
Former West Virginia star Da'Sean Butler was named the Forward of the Year in the All-Belgian League, as voted on by EuroBasket.com.
Bulger Explains Changes In College Football Offenses - EerSports
Former West Virginia quarterback Marc Bulger talks about the changes in offenses, including how Don Nehlen switched things around when he played for the legendary coach.
Two homegrown four-star generals played baseball at West Virginia - Register-Herald
What would be the odds that a student athlete at one of the country’s institution of higher learning would go on to become a four-star general?
Around the League (and Beyond):
Baylor favored in every 2014 game except OU in Norman - Our Daily Bears
Matt Thomas Charged With OWI - Wide Right & Natty Lite
K-State Closing in on Season Football Sellout - KSTATESPORTS.COM
OSU football: Dominic Ramacher leaving OSU program - Oklahoman (autoplay)
Texas leaves 12 stranded, loses to UC Irvine 3-1 at College World Series - Austin American Statesman
Patterson's plan: Turn around TCU with tweaks - Sacramento Bee
Texas Tech Drops Game to TCU in College World Series - Viva The Matadors
Big 12 teams as World Cup squads - ESPN
WEST VIRGINIA Ivory Coast
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
BT Entertainment Presents WVU ATLANTA KICKOFF
WVU's Countdown to Kickoff: Day 75 Sam Huff - WVUPros
Completing the first quarter of our countdown to West Virginia’s season opener against Alabama, today we find one of the most recognizable players in the long history of the West Virginia football program at No. 75.
World Cup 2014 schedule - Complete guide to games & TV
USA vs. Ghana tonight at 6 pm ET on ESPN
Video of Interest:
WVU Punter Nick O'Toole shows you what a day in the life of a football player is really like.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE (but it's SOOO worth it)
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a bit of a Kate Upton lookalike. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Alexandria Morgan (the gallery is much better than the video).