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 Old Time Alt Ale.
What You May Have Missed:
WVU athletic director Shane Lyons' interview at the Big 12 Coaches Meetings - WVSports.com
Holmes Invited to USA Basketball Team Trials - WVU Athletics
Bria Holmes receives invite to the USA Basketball team trials later in May.
WVU to Play in Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge - WVU Athletics
The Mountaineers will trek to Spokane, Washington, to play three games at Gonzaga University before concluding the tournament at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Fan Experience Committee Adding New Members - WVU Athletics
The application deadline is Friday, May 22nd at 5 p.m. Interested parties click here to apply http://www.wvusports.com/fan-experience-committee-form.cfm
THE READ OPTION: Big 12 finally masters basic tiebreaking technology - SBNation.com
Good morning! It's your daily roundup of college football stuff.
News of Note:
Football
Sense of urgency for WVU’s Thompson - Charleston Gazette
He’ll be a senior in the fall and for some reason it seems like he’s been here forever.
Let us turn back the block - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
Join me as we venture all the way back to the year 2010. It’s the start of the calendar year and West Virginia is two seasons and a 1-1 bowl game record removed from 13-9 and 48-28.
Big 12 freshmen who emerged as spring stars - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
LT Yodny Cajuste, West Virginia
Check in next week, though - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
This time last week, the Big 12 seemed to be sulking into a corner to put writing on the wall:
Big 12’s decision on title game is right move - Charleston Daily Mail
The Big 12’s decision to not yet add a conference championship game for football is one rooted in a battle of data points.
The Big 12 Gets it Right: No Conference Championship Game Needed - AthlonSports.com
Whether it was the amount of teams in the league, getting left out of the playoff, a championship game, the nine-game schedule or expansion, the Big 12’s future has been an ongoing debate since the last round of conference realignment.
Big 12 joins rest of American sport, recognizes head-to-head tiebreaker - WV MetroNews
And the scoreboard watching on the three-way tiebreaker could make blowouts valuable.
Best college players who never played in NFL - Sporting News
Major Harris, West Virginia
Draft
NFL draft prospect Mario Alford's pro day wowed Cincinnati Bengals - AFC North - ESPN
What most impressed the Bengals was he got faster the more he ran, and that's a big reason Cincinnati drafted Mario Alford in the seventh round.
Mario Alford's blazing WVU pro day performance got him drafted - College To Pro Sports
The date: MAR. 13, 2015 The place: Caperton Indoor Practice Facility - MORGANTOWN, WV The event: WVU's Pro Day
Gold and Blue Now: Wednesday, May 6 - WV MetroNews
Shaq Riddick, who was drafted in the fifth round by the Arizona Cardinals, talks about his position change to outside linebacker in the NFL.
Baseball
Clemson Baseball Coaching Search - 247Sports
Others: Randy Mazey, West Virginia
Basketball
WVU’s Huggins: "I give my players sneakers and a hard time" - THE BIG GRUNT
West Virginia University basketball coach Bob Huggins made his annual trek to Canton, Ohio on Monday May 5th to speak to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club. (h/t to Mike Casazza's blog)
Recruiting:
Rush of Offers in South Florida; Highlights Included - EerSports
As EerSports reported on Monday, West Virginia assistant coach JaJuan Seider is in south Florida this week, and the highly-regarded recruiter is wasting no time, offering a handful of top prospects today.
Mountaineers offer Miami legacy commit - EerSports
Miami legacy commit Al Blades, Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School) took to Twitter indicating West Virginia offered.
Second QB Offer for 2017 is Out - EerSports
West Virginia has extended their second offer to a quarterback in the 2017 class this afternoon, and the talented signal caller is St. Xavier's (OH) Sean Clifford.
East Regional Recruiting Roundup - Scout
All the news and notes from the East in Scout's weekly Regional Recruiting Roundup...
Pro News:
WVU Alumni Battle in France: John Flowers vs. Kevin Jones - WVillustrated
Former Mountaineers line up as opponents for the first time, but that college bond remains even as they try to take each other down.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big 12 backs off title game talk after meetings; Briles supports status quo - Waco Tribune
Cooke cleared for basketball activities - Ames Tribune
Q&A: Kansas WR Tre' Parmalee - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
K-State Associate AD Chad Weiberg leaving for Texas Tech - Bring On The Cats
Oklahoma basketball: Regents will consider $7 million Lloyd Noble Center addition - Oklahoman
Will Emmanuel Ogbah be a Top 2016 Draft Pick? - Cowboys Ride For Free
Former 5-star OL Darius James transferring from Texas - Burnt Orange Nation
Midweek Musings: The Shift of Expectations - Frogs O' War
Mandel's CFB Mailbag: Why Ducks may always struggle to win a national title & more - FOX Sports
What's On Tap:
‘Coaches Caravan’ Coming to Wheeling - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
West Virginia Mountaineers athletics fans will have a chance to see some of their favorite coaches at an event at Oglebay on Wednesday. The 20th BMAC scholarship reception will be held in the Pine Room in conjunction with the Mountaineer Athletic Club's "Coaches Caravan."
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is one of our favorites in these parts. CLICK HERE for today's animated gif gallery of Bar Refaeli.