Development Of Reserve Guards Big For West Virginia

As West Virginia’s basketball team has moved toward its own version of Dana Holgorsen’s football nightmare, it has discovered that it is better maybe than anyone outside their own locker room expected it to be.

By Michael Miller@michaelmillerWV Jan 11, 2016, 8:39am EST

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions.

Football:

WVU shaking up football coaching staff | Charleston Gazette-Mail
When Dana Holgorsen was Oklahoma State’s offensive coordinator in 2010 and Joe Wickline was the offensive line coach, the Cowboys ranked third nationally in points and yards per game. West Virginia is hoping for similar success in 2016.

West Virginia staff shakeup means DeForest, Cogdell won’t be retained | WV MetroNews
Sources tell MetroNews defensive coordinator Tony Gibson is targeting two candidates to coach safeties, while Cogdell's spot will be absorbed by an offensive hire.

DeForest, Cogdell will not return to WVU staff | The Exponent Telegram
Sources confirmed Sunday night that special teams and safeties coach Joe DeForest and defensive line coach Damon Cogdell will not return to the West Virginia coaching staff for the 2016 season.

Early exits leave Mountaineers with big holes to fill | The Daily Athenaeum
After its first eight-win season in the Big 12 era, the West Virginia University football team will have its depth tested after a number of key exits have depleted head coach, Dana Holgorsen’s, roster.

Basketball:

Development of reserve guards big for WVU | The Exponent Telegram
As West Virginia’s basketball team has moved toward its own version of Dana Holgorsen’s football nightmare, it has discovered that it is better maybe than anyone outside their own locker room expected it to be.

Kansas doesn't strike fear in Williams | The Exponent Telegram
Next up for West Virginia is Kansas. No. 1 Kansas, that is. And what does Kansas mean to you, Devin Williams?

Light going on for Macon, WVU big men | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Saturday was what you’d call a pleasant day for fans of WVU’s basketball team. In a 77-60 Big 12 win over the youthful, injury-riddled Oklahoma State Cowboys, the Mountaineers were never threatened. The hosts once moved out to a 23-point lead. They never surrendered the lead after Jevon Carter’s opening trey.

Opportunity at WVU allowing Myers to live out dreams | The Exponent Telegram

It’s been a long road for Teyvon Myers to get to where he is now with West Virginia.

Charleston officials lament end of Capital Classic, fear economic blow | Charleston Gazette-Mail
With the demise of the Capital Classic basketball game for the immediate future, and perhaps longer, Charleston-area officials are worried about the economic blow the cancellation could have on the city.

Ford’s praise of West Virginia heightens countdown to Kansas | WV MetroNews
The Kansas countdown started before the sweat dried on Jonathan Holton’s jersey.

Saturday's Win Sets up Big Night on Tuesday | WVU Athletics
West Virginia is now 3-0 to begin Big Conference 12 play for the first time since joining the league back in 2012.

West Virginia men win with Kansas up next | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
West Virginia center Devin Williams knows what’s next, and he’s not backing down.

WVU wins big in Big 12 home opener Saturday | The Daily Athenaeum
Without Daxter Miles in the lineup, a trio of double-digit scorers made sure the Mountaineers had no trouble easing past the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday.

Mountaineers win 7th straight by hammering shorthanded OSU | WV MetroNews
Deep and confident, No. 17 West Virginia scarcely missed injured starter Daxter Miles. The attrition hit slumping Oklahoma State much harder.

No. 17 WVU tops Oklahoma State, 77-60 | Charleston Gazette-Mail
When Bob Huggins pointed out how lethargic his West Virginia team was at the end of the three-game road trip and then revealed effort levels remained low in the practices preceding Saturday’s game against Oklahoma State, he may as well have been dunking on Jon Holton and waving a finger in his senior forward’s face.

Photo gallery: West Virginia downs Oklahoma State, 77-60 | WV MetroNews
Check out photo coverage from the No. 17 Mountaineers’ Big 12 home opener against Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon at the WVU Coliseum.

WVU defense clamps down on Texas Tech | WV MetroNews
Bria Holmes scored 12 of her 18 points during a third-quarter stretch when West Virginia separated from Texas Tech for a 79-57 win Saturday night at the WVU Coliseum.

West Virginia Athletics:

Former Mountaineer Shadow Sebele Passes Away | WVU Athletics
Former West Virginia University men’s soccer player Abel "Shadow" Sebele tragically passed away on Thursday evening in San Diego.

Around The Big XII:

Mason took winding road to reach No. 1 Kansas | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Mason was initially set on playing basketball at Towson, first committing and then signing with the Tigers of the Colonial Athletic Association. But before that resolved itself and Mason spent a year at a military school before joining the Jayhawks, he was a 1,900-point scorer in high school.

Around The NCAA:

The last time Alabama played Clemson, it changed the course of both programs | SBNation
Alabama's win over Clemson in 2008 was a declaration of intent for a Crimson Tide program that has finished in the top 10 every year since. It was also a catalyst for a change that has worked out very well for Clemson.

Don't expect Alabama's QB to throw all over Clemson like he did Michigan State | SBNation
Bama didn't really need Derrick Henry to beat the Spartans, but the Tigers are likely a whole different story.

These 7 keys will decide the Bama-Clemson National Championship | SBNation
The country's two best teams at slugging it out in the mud also have attacks built around two of the country's shiniest stars. Here are the exact things to watch Monday night.

What can recruiting tell us about Alabama vs. Clemson in the national title game? | SBNation
Clemson hasn't faced a defense like Alabama's. Alabama hasn't faced a quarterback like Deshaun Watson. What recruiting says about the matchup.