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 White Walker Winter Ale.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Wednesday, June 18 - WV MetroNews
Greg Hunter ways in on the latest football commitment for the Mountaineers. We also hear from MetroNews Sports contributor Brad Howe as he breaks down why the preseason magazines have such a bleak outlook for WVU football this fall.
Oliver Luck Ready to Embark Upon Inaugural College Football Play - WVillustrated
Change is on its way in the form of the inaugural College Football Playoff, which will take effect during the upcoming season.
WVU Sports Communications Earns CoSIDA Awards - WVU Athletics
WVU captured five awards for Excellence in Publications
Duo Retain National Team Roster Spots - WVU Athletics
Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence will dress for Canada Wednesday.
A Flash of Brilliance - WVU Athletics
WVU women's soccer defender Kadeisha Buchanan continues to rise to the top.
Ranking The Programs: #15 - BGN
Women's rowing narrowly avoided the bottom spot in our ranking of West Virginia's athletic programs, coming in at #15 overall.
WVU Law Professor Offers Views on O’Bannon Suit - WVU Athletics
O'Bannon case could change the way the NCAA does business.
FURFARI COLUMN: Five different items about a variety of sports - Times West Virginian
Stringing together some odds and ends which may be of interest to you:
News of Note:
Bob Huggins Big 12 Coaches' Teleconference - WVU Athletics (autoplay)
Huggs provides a summer update on his team.
Mountaineers want to score closer to the basket - Charleston Daily Mail
"We hope we’ve got more guys who can bounce it in the lane and more guys who can make plays in the lane," WVU coach Bob Huggins said Tuesday.
It’s starting to make some sense - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
I’m starting to get a more clear picture about Williams as a guy who was new to his team last year, who played with a bunch of veterans, who played for a pretty good coach who really knows what he’s doing and who is perhaps only guilty of fitting in on a good squad that made the NJCAA quarterfinals last season for a reason.
Huggs Hopes New Look Mountaineers Fill Needs - BGN
Just as it has had to do the last few seasons, the West Virginia basketball team heads into another offseason looking to fill a lot of major voids on its roster.
Huggins provides summer update - WVSports.com
While basketball season is all but officially over after the conclusion of the NBA Finals, West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins addressed the media Tuesday afternoon about the progress of his program during the Big 12 Coaches Teleconference.
Juwan Staten, Devin Williams working on weaknesses during off-season, leading by example - Daily Athenaeum
"(He has to) continue to assume a leadership role," Huggins said. "He’s been terrific. He’s been as good as virtually anyone I’ve had in the past in terms of trying to learn what we want done and be able to help his teammates figure out the same kind of things."
HERTZEL COLUMN: Spurs help sell concept of teamwork - Times West Virginian
Over the years the NBA has been what amounts to almost a destructive force upon college basketball and its coaches.
Huggins hopes WVU learned from Spurs - Register-Herald
Over the last decade or longer, the National Basketball Association has developed a reputation as a me-first league with little defense and plenty of one-on-one action.
Recruiting:
Oviedo DT Alec Shriner commits to West Virginia - Orlando Sentinel
Oviedo defensive tackle/offensive lineman Alec Shriner said a few weeks ago when he was offered a scholarship by West Virginia that it immediately put the Mountaineers at the top of his list.
WVU recruiting: Prep lineman Shriner commits to Mountaineers for 2015 - Charleston Gazette
Shriner, a 2015 prospect who held offers from South Florida, Florida International, Georgia Tech and more, committed to the Mountaineers Monday evening after an unofficial visit to campus.
Two-way lineman commitment projects as nose guard at West Virginia - WV MetroNews
He’s the first interior defensive line commitment for the Mountaineers in this class.
Pro News:
NBA Summer League: What does Kevin Jones have to do to make the Indiana Pacers? - WVUPros
After a spring spent in the Philippines, Kevin Jones will be coming back to the states in order to compete for an NBA roster spot during July's Summer League.
Geno soaking up role as Jets’ leader - Charleston Gazette/AP
The presence of Michael Vick doesn’t shake his confidence. Neither does his not-so-solid hold on the New York Jets’ quarterback job. Not even his uncertain status as the future of the franchise.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Stat crunch: Returning offensive production in Big 12 college football - ESPN
WVU lists third here despite the loss of Charles Sims' production
Infusion of impact players strengthens Big 12 basketball teams - Charleston Gazette/AP
Best case, worst case scenario: Baylor Bears - ESPN
Best case and worst case scenarios for Iowa State Cyclones football - ESPN
Athlon Sports Tabs Eight Jayhawks for Preseason All-Big 12 Teams - KUAthletics.com
Newcomers finding their way into K-State basketball mix - Wichita Eagle
ESPN Names The Oklahoma Sooners As, "Quarterback U" - Crimson And Cream Machine
OSU football player stabbed, abducted, robbed in Stillwater - Oklahoman
One Texas game ranked as one of top 10 most interesting non-conference games - Dallas Morning News
Virginia in command after taking TCU 3-2 in 15-inning classic - Dallas-Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Texas Tech Loses 2-1 to Ole Miss; Eliminated from College World Series - Viva The Matadors
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 73 Jake Figner - WVUPros
Our Countdown to Kickoff series here on WVUPros.com continues today with No. 73 Jake Figner, who played both right tackle and guard along the West Virginia offensive line.
World Cup 2014 schedule - Complete guide to games & TV
Here's the complete World Cup 2014 schedule
Video of Interest:
Short video highlighting K.J. Dillon safety for the 2014 WVU Football team. K.J. will be a junior in 2014.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is an American model from Boston. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Arielle Reitsma.