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 Shiner's Dortmunder Style Spring Ale.
What You May Have Missed:
WVU Baseball Weekly Update (3/9) - WVU Athletics
The Mountaineers swept ETSU last weekend in Johnson City, Tenn.
Dvorsak transitions well from Slovenia to WVU - Daily Athenaeum
Ziva Dvorsak is one of No. 1 West Virginia’s sharpest shooters, particularly in air rifle.
WVU struggles to practice with poor weather - Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia University men’s golf team will compete for the first time in over three decades, starting during the 2015-16 season.
O’Brien Named Athlete of the Week - WVU Athletics
Varsity Sports Report
Furfari: Delaware's Lesher excelled in basketball as a Mountaineer - Times West Virginian
John Lesher was a standout on West Virginia University’s basketball teams of the mid-1960s.
News of Note:
WVU’s Williams give Mountaineers a presence near the hoop - Charleston Daily Mail
"Dev can really move his feet," Huggins said. "Dev is our best, of all the bigs, at moving his feet."
What, if anything, has changed for WVU? - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
The past three games have, if nothing else, opened a window that lets you see the 2014-15 WVU basketball team for what it truly is.
Hugg life - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
So Saturday went well for West Virginia with a sound offensive performance and diligent work on the boards to beat Oklahoma State and end the regular season on the right foot.
Freshmen buying into defense-first philosophy - Charleston Gazette
Something he said the other day perhaps illustrates best the transformation Daxter Miles has undergone in a few short months.
Miles, Carter a special duo - Exponent Telegram
Little this year, however, has intimidated either Miles or his running mate and roommate, Jevon Carter, since the moment they walked onto the West Virginia University campus.
Browne looks ‘way better’ at practice, closer to returning than Staten - WV MetroNews
Bob Huggins says both senior guards remain questionable for Thursday's date with Baylor in the Big 12 quarterfinals.
Big 12 coaches brace for wide-open league tourney - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
"The hard thing about this league is there aren't any bad teams," West Virginia coach Bob Huggins said.
West Virginia’s path to Big 12 Tournament title - Daily Athenaeum
WVU’s path to the conference championship begins with a hurdle it has yet to clear this season: the fourth-seeded Baylor Bears.
Big 12 Tournament should be priority for WVU - Daily Athenaeum
While the Mountaineers will likely sit their starting guards if there is even the slightest risk for their health, the tournament can still give them a huge advantage going into March Madness.
Huggins Talks Big 12 Championship - BGN
West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins identified some of the keys to Baylor's success against the Mountaineers as his team held its last practice sessions in Morgantown prior to departing Kansas City for the Big 12 Championship.
Huggins: Tough Big12 a Potential "Launching Board" for NCAA Run - EerSports
"I’m going on my eighth year and we have played more ranked teams than any other coach in the history of the school. That’s because of the league. It’s related to how good this league is."
Hield player of year on AP All-Big 12, Staten repeats - Charleston Gazette/AP
Bill Self of Kansas became the first four-time winner of the AP Big 12 Coach of the Year award in a tight vote.
WVSports.com TV: Basketball Interviews - WVSports.com
Huggs, Carter & Miles
Carter, Watkins on Injuries, Big 12 Tourney - BGN
Here Jevon Carter and Brandon Watkins preview the Big 12 Championships, discuss how injuries are affecting them individually and the team as a whole and detail their roles in the postseason.
VIDEO INTERVIEWS: WVU Coach Huggins and Crew Prepare for Big 12 Tournament - WVillustrated
Huggs, Watkins, Carter & Miles
NCAA tournament bracket watch - FOX Sports
4 South
Football
Dana Holgorsen: Spring Football Update - WVU Athletics
Transcript & video
Holgorsen, WVU settle in for start of spring practice - Charleston Daily Mail
"We’ve got some flexibility with that hire because we’ve got everything covered at this point," Holgorsen said
Campus Connection: Football Notes - WVU Athletics
Some football notes heading into the start of spring drills on Sunday.
Spring primer: West Virginia Mountaineers - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
The Mountaineers will enter the spring with a talented roster but several questions that must be answered if Dana Holgorsen's program hopes to take another step forward in 2015.
Lots of familiar faces for start of WVU spring drills - Charleston Gazette
Dana Holgorsen still has an empty assistant coach’s office in the Puskar Center, but by the time spring drills begin Sunday, he’ll have an even bigger empty room. West Virginia’s new team room should be ready to use by that time.
WVU notebook: Holgorsen adds tutoring quarterbacks to coaching duties - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
As one of college football's brightest offensive minds, West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen chooses the assistant who works with his quarterbacks wisely.
Focus on QB battle as WVU prepares for spring - Beckley Register-Herald
Sixty-eight scholarship football players will take part in spring football practice at West Virginia University later this month and into April. But the attention of most Mountaineer football fans will be focused on four.
Wellman Changing Positions, Could Be "A Lot Like Owen Schmitt" - EerSports
"We're going to use Eli Wellman more as a back than we probably did last year," said Holgorsen.
Five West Virginia football players leave program - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"I didn’t force any of these guys out ...," Holgorsen said. "These guys made decisions that they want to move on with what their future holds."
Millard, Buie done with football at WVU - Exponent Telegram
"We’ll make it work," added running backs JaJuan Seider. "You’ve got four guys there, so you just knock on wood that everybody stays healthy."
Millard won’t be part of crowded QB race - WV MetroNews
Dana Holgorsen says the veteran quarterback decided against returning for a fifth season.
Running back depth lacking as Buie, Garrison depart - WV MetroNews
After injuries and situational packages necessitated West Virginia utilizing five running backs throughout 2014, such depth won’t be available next season.
Assistant Coaches: Spring Football Update - WVU Athletics
Select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Monday, March 9, 2015, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
WVSports.com TV: FB Assistant Interviews - WVSports.com
Gibby, Crook, DeForest, Tall, Galloway & Seider
WATCH: WVU Football Coaches Talk Spring Ball - WVillustrated
Tall, Galloway & Seider
Galloway, Seider talk skill positions - BGN
With spring practice on the horizon for West Virginia, the Mountaineers' skill positions on offense will look for some more playmakers to emerge.
Dana Holgorsen 'surprised' by Kevin White’s NFL Scouting Combine performance - WVUPros
"When I was watching it, after about the first 15 yards, I went ‘woah.’ I was obviously proud of him," Holgorsen added.
WVU's Kevin White: "I'm just getting started" - WVillustrated
He has had a whirlwind offseason, from the training to signing with Adidas to national broadcast appearances, flashing that smile along the way as he tells his story to those who only became aware of his existence in the past six months.
Recruiting:
Big 12 recruiting scorecard - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Here's the latest on the Big 12 recruiting trail
Pro News:
Pittsburgh Steelers give Will Johnson tendered offer - WVUPros
The Pittsburgh Steelers have opted to give fullback/tight end, Will Johnson a one-year restricted free agent tendered offer.
Around the League (and Beyond):
College Football Playoff not expecting changes in Year 2 - ESPN
Baylor’s Rico Gathers named all-Big 12 by coaches - Waco Tribune
Fred's Teams: How Does the 2014-15 Version Compare? - Wide Right & Natty Lite
Report: Cliff Alexander faces ineligibility because mom took loan - CBSSports.com
Marcus Foster Returning to Kansas State - Bring On The Cats
Buddy Hield Named Big 12 Player of the Year - Crimson And Cream Machine
Oklahoma State Basketball Bracketology - Cowboys Ride For Free
Texas’ Myles Turner wins top freshman honor - Dallas Morning News
A Farewell to Wilkerson-Greines - Frogs O' War
Red Raider Position Preview - Viva The Matadors
What's On Tap:
Baseball Game at Liberty Postponed - WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University baseball game scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, at Liberty, has been postponed due to the anticipated inclement weather in the Lynchburg, Virginia, area. No makeup date has been announced at this time.
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
You can't handle the dialogue
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is California girl. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Bryana Holly.