Mountaineer Morning Links: Wednesday (3/11/15) Edition

Big 12 Basketball tournament previews, football reports, recruiting updates, WVUPros updates, Big 12 roundup & more.

By WVUIE97@WVUIE97 Mar 11, 2015, 8:36am EDT

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What You May Have Missed:

Rifle Looks to Make History Again - WVU Athletics
The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University rifle team, coined coach Jon Hammond’s "most talented team ever," pursues its nation-best 17th and third consecutive national title at the NCAA Championships, March 13-14, at the E.F. Horton Rifle Range and Patty Center in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Ballpark Construction Update: 3/10/15 - WVU Athletics
A look at the most recent photos from the new ballpark.

FURFARI: WVU's oldest living three-sport letterman getting Washington TD Club honor at 91 - Times West Virginian
E. Roy Lester, a Spencer native, is believed to be West Virginia University’s oldest three-sport letterman still living at the age of 91.

News of Note:

Mission: Defined - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
Don’t look now, but here comes Daxter Miles, exhibiting the opposite of what a lot of freshman do and shedding woes and sharpening his tools at the end of that first long regular season.

The worth of Devin Williams - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
I don’t think anyone’s going to argue that Devin Williams has had to adjust more without Juwan Staten and Gary Browne than anyone else

Mountaineers vying to bolster NCAA seed in Big 12 tourney - Charleston Gazette
As his team heads into postseason play, Bob Huggins isn’t sure what to make of its mental makeup.

WVU wants another crack at Baylor - Exponent Telegram
"It makes us more hungry since we lost to them twice," said freshman guard Jevon Carter.

Baylor biggest obstacle for West Virginia - Daily Athenaeum
The Mountaineers’ largest obstacle since the season tipped off Nov. 14, 2014, has been the Baylor Bears.

No. 18 West Virginia enters Big 12 Tournament this week, faces No. 16 Baylor first - Daily Athenaeum
"We’re not going to be scared," Huggins said. "That’s not in their DNA. That’s not going to happen."

Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Preview - Scout
There will be no shortage of intrigue when the Big 12 tips off the most wide-open conference tournament in America on Wednesday at the Sprint Center in Kansas City.

Predicting the Big 12 Tournament - FOX Sports
Baylor over West Virginia.

2015 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Preview - AthlonSports.com
For the Mountaineers, it's been a game of attrition, trying to find ways to stay competitive with no Gary Browne or Juwan Staten.

NCAA College Basketball Power Rankings - ESPN
18 West Virginia

Posted on the wall at the basketball practice facility. pic.twitter.com/W4iOm6dtJU
— Mike Casazza (@mikecasazza) March 9, 2015

Football

WVU football, hoops share pressure mindset - Charleston Daily Mail
"It all depends on what kind of mindset your kids have," Gibson said.

‘Beastly’ expectations for WVU’s Shell; notes - Charleston Gazette
What I learned at summer ca ... er, WVU’s spring football media day

Focus on QB battle as West Virginia prepares for spring practice - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
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.

2015 Big 12 spring football preview - SI.com
West Virginia: Will running back Rushel Shell break out?

Big 12's Pre-Spring Top 15 Player Rankings for 2015 - AthlonSports.com
10. Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia

Recruiting:

WVU recruiting: Mountaineers hoping for more early commitments - Charleston Gazette
This weekend, the Mountaineers will host their second Junior Day, and there could be even more fireworks.

Holmes escapes Dixie, setting up CovCath rematch - Cincinnati Enquirer
Senior guard James Bolden, a West Virginia commit, and classmate Rod Avery led Holmes with 14 points each

Morgantown’s Seggie to Join WVU Next Season - WVU Athletics
West Virginia University women’s basketball coach Mike Carey announced the addition of Morgantown High School star Olivia Seggie for the 2015-16 season as an invited walk-on.

Pro News:

J.T. Thomas signs with the New York Giants - WVUPros
Thomas was a free-agent for the first time in his career for about two hours.

Ray Gaddis has a Top Play and named a Top Player in MLS Week 1 action - WVUPros
The Philadelphia Union kicked off their season on Saturday with a 0-0 tie with the Colorado Rapids at PPL Park. WVU’s own Ray Gaddis helped to anchor a stifling defense for the Union.