Mountaineer Morning Links: Texas Tech Game Day (1/5/15) Edition

Joseph coming back, hoops notes & previews, recruiting, WVUPros updates, Big 12 roundup & more.

By WVUIE97@WVUIE97 Jan 5, 2015, 9:06am 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 Sierra Nevada's Raiders of the Last Hops beer.

What You May Have Missed:

No. 21 West Virginia’s Rally Falls Short at OU - WVU Athletics
in a 71-60 loss at Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon at the Lloyd Noble Center

Wrestling Downs ASU for Third Straight Win - WVU Athletics
The Mountaineers get revenge on Arizona State with a 22-12 win in Tempe.

Stuart Scott, 1965-2015: A Generation Mourns - Bring On The Cats
20 years ago, he had to fight to be himself, and won. Today, another fight ended -- but he didn't lose that one, either.

Most Important Tweet of the Day:

Source: Safety Karl Joseph will return to WVU for senior season. Joseph previously sent exploratory paperwork to NFL's draft advisory board.
— Mike Casazza (@mikecasazza) January 5, 2015

News of Note:

Joseph to return for senior season - Charleston Daily Mail
With Joseph on board for 2015, WVU has both starting cornerbacks and all three safeties coming back, plus two of the three starters on the defensive line and at linebacker.

WVU special teams have several areas that have to be improved - Register Herald
Special teams. The only two words in the English language that will bring a worse look to the faces of West Virginia football fans are Pitt and Panthers.

FURFARI: Lambertâ€™s field goals saved WVU from losing season - Times West Virginian
I was very impressed during a preseason interview with Josh Lambert, West Virginia University’s sophomore placekicker.

Final Big 12 Power Rankings - FOX Sports
4. West Virginia 7-6, 5-6. Previously: 4.

Hoops

Mountaineers look to keep road record unblemished - Charleston Daily Mail
There are 345 teams playing Division I basketball this season. Not one has won more games away from its home floor than West Virginia.

Staten expected back as WVU visits Texas Tech - Charleston Gazette
"He is fine,’’ Bob Huggins said Sunday.

Huggins likes West Virginia’s fiery mix: ‘They’re not afraid’ - WV MetroNews
Juwan Staten is expected back from illness for Monday's game, but WVU's supporting cast has shown it can cope with being shorthanded.

Texas two step for West Virginia - Register Herald
Saturday’s win was a big one for the West Virginia University basketball team.

Win at TCU helped Mountaineers build character - Exponent Telegram
Teams with talent win games. Teams with character win championships.

WVU out for 2-0 start in Big 12 play - Exponent Telegram
In Texas Tech, they face an improving Big 12 team that battled back against No. 11 Texas after falling behind by 20 points, eventually losing, 70-61.

Preview: WVU vs Texas Tech - BGN
West Virginia aims for another Texas sweep to open the season when it completes its two-game road swing in Lubbock against Texas Tech on Monday evening.

Recruiting:

Mountaineers making progress on recruiting trail - Register Herald
College football fans love to criticize play-calling. Many like nothing better than to be a La-Z-Boy coordinator, criticizing the schemes on both sides of the ball.

Pro News:

WVUPros on the Hardwood Report: Mountaineers ring in the New Year around the globe - WVUPros
This week we look at the various Mountaineers in action over New Year’s, starting with Devin Ebanks asserting himself and becoming a leader on his new team in Mexico.

David Carpenter traded to Yankees - WVUPros
Former West Virginia University pitcher David Carpenter has been traded along with Chasen Shreve to the New York Yankees in exchange for Manny Banuelos.

Eers in the NFL: Wildcard Weekend - EerSports
A look at former Mountaineers playing in the National Football League during the Wildcard Weekend.