Mountaineer Morning Links: Monday (1/19/15) Edition

Hoops notes & recruiting news, varsity updates, WVUPros updates, Big 12 roundup & more.

By WVUIE97@WVUIE97 Jan 19, 2015, 8:58am EST

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Bell's Winter White Ale.

What You May Have Missed:

Rifle Remains Perfect in Conference Play - WVU Athletics
The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University rifle team defeated Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) foe No. 7 Nebraska, 4704-4680, today, at the WVU Rifle Range.

West Virginia Topples No. 21 Oklahoma State - WVU Athletics
For the first time this season coach Mike Carey used a different lineup and it worked, as West Virginia toppled No. 21/20 Oklahoma State 61-49 on Saturday afternoon at the Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Gymnastics Tallies Career Bests in Defeats - WVU Athletics
The WVU gymnastics team scored 194.175 in a third-place finish at OSU.

Sooners Top No. 23 Wrestling - WVU Athletics
The No. 23 Mountaineers dropped a 25-13 dual at Oklahoma in Big 12 action.

Oliver Luck: 4 is right number for playoff - Charleston Daily Mail
Former West Virginia athletic director and selection committee member Oliver Luck says the College Football Playoff should stick with the four-team model because "it should be hard to get into the playoff."

News of Note:

Same story for WVU men vs. Texas, or is it? - Charleston Daily Mail
“How in the hell can you say that?” coach Bob Huggins said after the 77-55 defeat against No. 20 Texas. “We’re 15-3. How in the hell can you say that it’s like last year? It’s not like last year. It’s not like last year at all.”

Staten, Mountaineers have time to regroup - Charleston Gazette
There’s probably no good reason to be alarmed at the result of West Virginia’s trip here this weekend, even if it did result in by far the Mountaineers’ worst loss of the season.

Poor performance at Texas was just a loss - Exponent Telegram
The best thing about college basketball may also be the worst thing.

Loss Of Composure - BGN
Through the first 17 games of the 2014-15 season, West Virginia’s men’s basketball team has maintained its composure. That admirable streak crumbled into dust during the Mountaineers’ 77-50 loss to Texas on Saturday.

Humbled Mountaineers Determined to Move Past Texas Thrashing - WVillustrated
After a dismantling defeat in Austin, the Mountaineers are determined to refocus and not allow a single game define the second half of the season.

Vine Rewind: WVU-Texas - EerSports
a look at several key factors and plays from the previous day's Mountaineer basketball game.

Big 12 Hoops Power Rankings - FOX Sports
5. West Virginia 15-3, 3-2

Ranking the Big 12 football coaches by job security - WV MetroNews
8. Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia

Recruiting:

WVU hoops recruiting, CFP and attendance figures - Charleston Gazette
Ye olde Sunday buffet

Pro News:

WVUPros 2015 NFL Draft preview - WVUPros
An early look and projection of where some West Virginia Mountaineers may fall in the 2015 NFL Draft, including Kevin White.

Jonnie West shines in new role with Santa Cruz - WVUPros
What’s more impressive about Jonnie however, is what he accomplished off the court, and how he has turned it into a successful career that is only just beginning.

WVUPros exclusive interview with Eric Wicks - WVUPros
The 2007 All-American selection currently serves as the assistant special teams coordinator/cornerbacks coach for Bucknell University.