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 New Belgium Brewing's Spring Blonde.
What You May Have Missed:
WVU Wins OT Thriller to Reach WNIT Semis - WVU Athletics
WVU rallied to knock off Villanova and advance to the WNIT semifinals.
WATCH: WVU Women Survive Overtime Thriller, Defeat Villanova 75-70 - WVillustrated
The WVU women's basketball team came from behind in the final minutes to defeat Villanova on Sunday, advancing to the WNIT Semifinals next week.
Stepney, Leary not done just yet - Exponent Telegram
As the final seconds were ticking off the clock in regulation, with West Virginia scratching and clawing to stay alive to play another day, Linda Stepney and Crystal Leary seemed to grow before our eyes.
WVU Women to Host Temple in WNIT Semifinals - WVillustrated
The West Virginia University women's basketball team will host Temple on Wednesday, April 1 at 7 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum in the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) semifinals.
Donato Throws Shutout in Series Finale - WVU Athletics
The WVU baseball team swept Charleston Southern.
Donato Throws Shutout As WVU Sweeps - BGN
Chad Donato threw a complete game shutout and West Virginia pounded out eight hits in an 8-0 win over Charleston Southern for the series sweep on Sunday.
Donato, WVU Coaches Dissect Sweep - BGN
Here, the right-hander speaks to that effort, adding another pitch, and West Virginia's offensive outburst, while head coach Randy Mazey and assistant Derek Matlock detail the series.
Prediger's Near-Perfect Score Secured WVU Win - BGN
Maren Prediger is used to shooting under pressure. So, when she and the rest of the West Virginia rifle team were 12 points behind after the first day of the NCAA Championship, no one was worried.
Hundley:
WVU Legend Hot Rod Hundley Has Died - WVU Athletics
Hundley was a consensus All-American in 1957.
Campus Connection: Hundley WVU's 1st Celebrity - WVU Athletics
Hot Rod Hundley was WVU's first celebrity athlete.
Hoops great Hundley left us with tales, laughs - Charleston Daily Mail
“I’m laughing about all the things he did that made him happy,” said Nearman, a Charleston native and one of Hundley’s oldest friends.
Hot Rod Hundley dies at 80: Legendary scorer, court jester, NBA broadcaster - WV MetroNews
Hoops legend and Charleston native was an All-American at WVU
Obituary: Rod 'Hot Rod' Hundley / Outsize basketball personality - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Mr. Hundley was an electrifying presence at West Virginia University, played for the Lakers and stamped his persona on broadcasting, mostly for the New Orleans Jazz.
Few dull things mark Hundley’s life - Times West Virginian
The idea was for Hundley to take one last shot on the Coliseum floor. He was hardly dressed for it, wearing a business suit and some shiny leather shoes, and had hardly practiced … but Hundley was never one to turn down a challenge.
FURFARI: It was an honor and treat to cover Hundley's achievements, antics - Times West Virginian
It was both an honor and a treat to have reported on the numerous achievements and occasional antics of West Virginia basketball superstar “Hot Rod” Hundley in the 1950s.
Rod Hundley: You gotta love him, baby - Beckley Register-Herald
Some of the antics that Hundley pulled — actions that never would have worked for Slay under the watchful eye of Woodrow Wilson coaching legend Dave Barksdale — are still almost difficult to believe having not seen them with my own eyes.
Remembering ‘Hot Rod’ Hundley - Sacramento Kings
Jerry Reynolds, Grant Napear and more remember long-time Jazz broadcaster "Hot Rod" Hundley, who passed away on Friday.
Photo Galleries Charleston's Hot Rod Hundley - Charleston Daily Mail
News of Note:
In Bob We Trust: West Virginia's Coach Isn't Looking to Make Friends - Rolling Stone
Huggins has a straightforward way of asserting that the whole backbone of college sports is laced with highfalutin bullshit.
Despite loss, Huggins fixed the problem - Charleston Gazette
"I’ll fix it,’’ he said on more than one occasion.
Offseason was crucial for WVU men’s hoops - Dominion Post
Belief was built in those early summer months, before anyone on the team ran a single play or rebounded a ball.
Basketball Future Bright in Morgantown - EerSports
Of the ten players who averaged double-digit minutes this season, West Virginia is set to return eight of them
Look ahead: Which guards will fill vacancies left by Staten, Browne? - WV MetroNews
In a two-part preview of the 2015-16 season, Allan Taylor evaluates what returning players must do for WVU to build upon its run to the Sweet 16.
The Way-Too-Early-Preview of 2015-16 WVU Men’s Hoops - WVillustrated
an in-depth look at what the Mountaineers will look like to start next season.
West Virginia men's basketball team hopes best is yet to come - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
"We've got a lot of young, inexperienced guys that are only going to get better," coach Bob Huggins said.
Why Daxter Miles Jr. Was Right to Guarantee a Win Over Kentucky - GQ
All Daxter Miles did was say what literally every single athlete thinks before a game.
WVU’s miles can learn from pregame remarks - Charleston Gazette
"I just hope it will be a humbling moment for him,’’ Williams said of Miles. "He’ll understand what you can say and what you can’t.’’
WVU basketball begins to assess how it can take the next step - Charleston Daily Mail
And for the entirety of this offseason, the Mountaineers must take a look at one equally obvious truth: They have to learn to deal with themselves.
Miles' words magnified greatly - Exponent Telegram
Say something and there will be an immediate overreaction that magnifies the words beyond imagination.
Huggins praises Calipari for getting UK to buy in - Exponent Telegram
Hertzel's Notebook
Staten, Browne return WVU to forefront - Exponent Telegram
Staten and Browne were seniors, and had one final chance to leave an indelible imprint on the program — and they did it.
The real story - Exponent Telegram
The most telling picture to come out of the thousands that were taken in that beatdown Kentucky put on West Virginia was of Browne, his head bowed, leaning upon the chest of coach Bob Huggins, as he exited the game for the final time as a Mountaineer.
Class Act - BGN
Gary Browne's emotions were clearly on display at the conclusion of the final basketball game of his college career. It was a reflection of the way he conducted himself over his entire career at West Virginia, and is a model of what Mountaineer fans love about the players they cheer for.
'Our State' - WVSports.com
Morgantown wasn't where either of the players were born or raised, but it quickly became home as the pair embraced their new surroundings and the unique culture that comes with it.
Feel Good Friday: Bob Huggins creating a legacy on and off the court - WVUPros
Not only has he put together and coached this year’s team to a Sweet 16 appearance, but he has also been a part of some pretty awesome charity work that is definitely ‘feel good’ worthy!
Final Big 12 Hoops Power Rankings - FOX Sports
4. West Virginia
Football
Mountaineers’ Gibson: Scott a ‘great addition’ - Dominion Post
Mark Scott was something of a surprise choice when WVU head football coach Dana Holgorsen hired him as the final assistant to complete the Mountaineers’ staff for next season.
Kevin White compared to Julio Jones, Brandon Marshall - NFL.com
If the next Julio Jones or Brandon Marshall is available in the 2015 NFL Draft, expect West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White to take the role.
2015 NFL mock draft: Kevin White to New York Jets at No. 6 - SBNation.com
Regardless of who is playing quarterback for the Jets, they're going to need more targets - and Kevin White is arguably the best receiver available this year.
NFL draft: Amari Cooper, Kevin White best WRs available - SI.com
The choice between Kevin White and Amari Cooper in the 2015 NFL draft comes down to production versus potential. What's at stake for WR-needy teams?
NFL Draft Profile: West Virginia WR Mario Alford - CSN Chicago (autoplay)
Get to know West Virginia wide receiver Mario Alford with this NFL Draft Profile
Recruiting:
FSU commit Jamel Cook to take other visits - EerSports
Miami (Fla.) Central safety Jamel Cook committed to Florida State back in February.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Bears try to get offense on track in final spring scrimmage - Waco Tribune
Richardson and why he ignores his coaches who say he could great - Ames Tribune
Bill Self, Roy Williams, and the Eerily Reminiscent 12th Year Kansas Crossroads - Rock Chalk Talk
K-State set for start of spring football - Topeka Capital Journal
Michigan State Spartans Send Oklahoma Sooners Packing 62-58 - Crimson And Cream Machine
Rumors of Travis Ford Buyout Surface - Cowboys Ride For Free
Rick Barnes out as Texas head basketball coach - Burnt Orange Nation
Trent Johnson Linked to Arizona State Vacancy - Frogs O' War
Texas Tech Spring Game Thoughts: The Good, Bad & Ugly - Viva The Matadors
What's On Tap:
Open Football Practice at Shepherd University - WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University football team will hold its first off-campus open practice this spring at Ram Stadium in Shepherdstown, W.Va., on Saturday, April 4, starting at 1 p.m.
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a gorgeous model from Australia. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Emily Sears.