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 Russian Bear Beer, in preparation for today's opponent.
What You May Have Missed:
Baseball Announces Home Schedule Changes - WVU Athletics
Due to the delayed opening of Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia University baseball team has announced schedule changes to the first four home games.
Wrestling Qualifies Four for NCAAs - WVU Athletics
Zeke Moisey, Michael Morales, Bubba Scheffel & Jake A. Smith will rep WVU.
WVUsportsBuzz Presented by U.S. Cellular - WVU Athletics
After spending much of the winter inside, rowing looks to break outdoors with the arrival of spring. Also, the rifle team will be competing for its 18th national championship this weekend in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Mountaineer Insider Podcast - WVU Athletics
Lots of ground to cover in this week's podcast, including a Phillips 66 Big 12 Championships preview, spring football notes and a look at baseball's Big 12 opening series at Texas this weekend.
FURFARI: Mike King survived cancer after being standout WVU cager - Times West Virginian
Mike King of nearby Fairchance, Pennsylvania, came from what he declared "a really small high school" to become one of coach Gale Catlett’s first recruits in men’s basketball at West Virginia University.
News of Note:
WVU’s Browne expected to play against Baylor; Staten doubtful - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia probably won’t be at full strength when it starts playing in the Big 12 tournament Thursday against Baylor, but the Mountaineers could be closer than they have been since the starting lineup was last intact for the Feb. 24 win against Texas.
News from Kansas City - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
It would seem Juwan Staten is out again
WVU’s Carter grew game on Maywood basketball courts - Charleston Daily Mail
"When we’d play pick-up ball, I was always one of the littlest guys on the court," West Virginia’s 6-foot-2, 185-pound freshman guard said.
Have we seen the last of Staten? - Charleston Gazette
Will he ever play in a West Virginia uniform again? Well, that’s probably the most intriguing thing facing this West Virginia team as it enters the postseason.
WVU gets 3rd shot at Baylor in Big 12 tourney - Charleston Gazette
There are plenty of issues with which West Virginia must deal in facing Baylor for the third time this season in today’s Big 12 tournament quarterfinals at the Sprint Center.
Bob Huggins: Big 12 Championship - WVU Athletics
Head basketball coach Bob Huggins spoke Wednesday as the team prepares to take on Baylor in the Big 12 Championship Thursday at 12:30 p.m.
Huggins on Baylor, Big 12 Championship - BGN
The devil, as Bob Huggins noted, isn't always in the details. West Virginia's head coach made it plain that basic execution, and getting more shots via turnovers and offensive rebounding, were keys to getting past Baylor in the Big 12 Championship.
Miles, Carter Not Ordinary Freshmen - WVU Athletics
Freshmen Carter and Miles excelling for WVU.
Young guards hold keys for WVU - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
West Virginia coach Bob Huggins the other day called guard Jevon Carter an “anomaly.”
Browne, Staten striving to get back at it - Exponent Telegram
So much sweat so much work, so many adjustments — and then they found they could barely walk, let alone run, as the final days on their careers were ticking off one by one.
WVU Seniors Still Working To Get Healthy - BGN
About two weeks after leaving West Virginia's game against Baylor just minutes into the start of the contest with a sprained ankle, Gary Browne was cleared to begin practicing again.
West Virginia’s first task in Kansas City: Find a way to beat Baylor - WV MetroNews
The Bears are 3-point favorites entering Thursday's Big 12 quarterfinal game at the Sprint Center.
WVU-Baylor to battle in Big 12 quarterfinal - Exponent Telegram
Should the Mountaineers get by this game and other games go according to form, they would have to beat Kansas in front of what is essentially a home crowd in the semifinal and probably Oklahoma or Iowa State in the final.
WVU begins Big 12 tourney play against Baylor - Beckley Register-Herald: College Sports
Last season it was Texas. This season it’s Baylor.
WVU-Baylor to battle in Big 12 quarterfinal - Exponent Telegram
Should the Mountaineers get by this game and other games go according to form, they would have to beat Kansas in front of what is essentially a home crowd in the semifinal and probably Oklahoma or Iowa State in the final.
Big 12 Preview: West Virginia vs. Baylor - BGN
What are the keys to a West Virginia win over Baylor on Thursday night? Blue Gold News' Matt Keller and Annabel Stephan preview the Big 12 Tournament match up...
No. 18 WVU Meets No. 16 Baylor in KC - WVSports.com
Today in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Conference Tournament at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, fifth-seeded No. 18 West Virginia (23-8, 11-7) meets fourth-seeded No. 16 Baylor (23-8, 11-7).
WVU Men's Basketball: Mountaineers open Big XII Tournament Thursday against Baylor - WVUPros
The Bears are 7-3 in their last ten games, and 5-1 over the course of their last six.
PREVIEW: WVU to Face Baylor in Big 12 Conference Tournament - WVillustrated
No.5 seed West Virginia will face No.4 seed Baylor in the quarterfinals in hopes of beating the Bears and moving on in the tournament.
WVU ready for tough matchup vs. Baylor bigs - BGN
All season, West Virginia has been able to hold its own and assert itself as one of the best teams in the Big 12 Conference.
Watkins contributes when he can, still battles injuries - Daily Athenaeum
No. 18 West Virginia faces Baylor today in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, but as the season has worn on, players have worn down.
WVU Players: Effort, Execution Key Vs Baylor - BGN
D. Williams, Browne & Holton
WATCH: Gary Browne Speaks from Big 12 Tournament - WVillustrated
See all of what the senior guard had to say to the media following WVU's shoot around at the Sprint Center on Wednesday.
WATCH: Sights and Sounds from WVU's Practice in Kansas City - WVillustrated
The WVU men's basketball team took the floor inside the Sprint Center for a morning practice on Tuesday in Kansas City.
Photo Gallery: WVU Big 12 Shootaround - BGN
After arriving in Kansas City on Tuesday and holding a practice in the evening, the West Virginia basketball team moved on the the Sprint Center on Wednesday morning for their shoot-around. Here's a look at the action.
PHOTOS: WVU Prepares For First Round of Big 12 Tournament Play - WVillustrated
Browse photos from the Mountaineers' shoot-around in preparation for their game against the Baylor Bears in the first round of the Big 12 Conference Tournament.
Football
Dana Holgorsen assumes familiar role with West Virginia Mountaineers - ESPN
Dana Holgorsen will be working closely with West Virginia's inexperienced quarterbacks this spring.
Barber back in the middle of WVU defense - Dominion Post
The last time WVU fans saw linebacker Jared Barber in uniform, his 2013 football season was coming to an end with a torn ACL, suffered on the final defensive play during an overtime loss against Texas.
Pro News:
Jets add Ryan Fitzpatrick to provide competition for Geno Smith - WVUPros
We’ve heard this line before: The Jets bring in a veteran quarterback to provide competition for Geno Smith. But this time the narrative will be different.
Philadelphia Union defender Ray Gaddis talks season outlook, MLS expansion, and more - WVUPros
The Mountaineer alum chatted about what to expect out of the Philadelphia Union in 2015.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Baylor men hope bye pays off in Big 12 tournament - Waco Tribune
Hoiberg reflects on Big 12 season - KCCI (autoplay)
Ellis practices, remains questionable - Lawrence Journal World
Men's Hoops Recap - Kansas State 65, TCU 67 - Bring On The Cats
Sooners in 'need' of a win at the Big 12 Tournament - Oklahoman
Oklahoma State Basketball Bracketology - Cowboys Ride For Free
Texas Longhorns Defeat Tech, 65-53 - Burnt Orange Nation
A long first step: TCU 67, KSU 65 - Frogs O' War
Texas knocks off Red Raiders in Big 12 tournament - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
What's On Tap:
2015 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament
(5) West Virginia Mountaineers vs. (4) Baylor Bears - Preview - ESPN
12:30 pm today from the Sprint Center on ESPN2/3
(9) TCU Horned Frogs vs. (1) Kansas Jayhawks - ESPN
Approximately 3 pm today from the Sprint Center on ESPN2/3
(7) Texas Longhorns vs. (2) Iowa State Cyclones - Preview - ESPN
7 pm tonight from the Sprint Center on ESPNU/3
(6) Oklahoma St Cowboys vs. (3) Oklahoma Sooners - Preview - ESPN
Approximately 9:30 pm tonight from the Sprint Center on ESPNU/3
Video of Interest:
Tony Caridi and Jay Jacobs are with the Mountaineers in Kansas City as they prepare for Thursday's Big 12 tournament quarterfinal game against Baylor at the Sprint Center
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a Florida native who's about to try her hand at Dancing With The Stars (wait, wut?). She also has a tremendous Instagram account. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Charlotte McKinney.