Brooklyn Homecoming Awaits West Virginia's Trio Of New Yorkers

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

Football:

Howard no longer an underdog at QB | The Dominion Post
These days, Dana Holgorsen has no problem distinguishing Skyler Howard from the four other passers who populate West Virginia’s quarterbacks room.

Basketball:

Brooklyn Homecoming Awaits for WVU’s Trio of New Yorkers | WV Illustrated
Home is where the heart is. Although Tarik Phillip, Teyvon Myers and Jaysean Paige have recently made a new home in Morgantown, none of them will ever forget their roots that connect them to the state of New York.

Paige looking forward to fresh start | The Dominion Post
The challenge to Jaysean Paige was not one handed down by West Virginia coach Bob Huggins. It wasn’t discussed by another WVU teammate. Instead, it came from Paige himself, sprouting into his mind as he watched Kansas players celebrate a Big 12 tournament championship last week at the expense of the Mountaineers.

New York and WVU, Dakich and Devin Williams | Charleston Gazette-Mail
WVU and its fans should feel good about the Mountaineers playing this round of the NCAA Tournament around the Big Apple of New York City. The area certainly has been sweet to the West Virginia basketball program.

Huggins’ key to advancing: ‘You have to make open shots’ | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Considering his luck, or lack thereof, it was fair to ask Bob Huggins if health is the most important part of a long NCAA Tournament run.

No Passing Fancy | WVU Athletics
Passing one of the keys to WVU's tournament success.

Huggins' best coaching job since Final Four | Beckley Register-Herald
The feeling here is that West Virginia men’s head basketball coach Bob Huggins has done the best job of coaching this season since he led the Mountaineers to the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four in 2010.

Baseball:

In talented freshman class, Galusky might be WVU’s best | The Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia University baseball team is off to a 10-4 start, and it’s a youth movement that’s leading the way. Four freshmen have seized regular roles in the starting lineup, and nine first-year players saw the field in a 6-2 win over Radford Tuesday.

West Virginia Athletics:

Seniors leave lasting mark on renowned Mountaineers program | The Daily Athenaeum
It’s always a bittersweet time when an athletic program loses a group of seniors. Even more so when the group has contributed so much to the future of the program. With the graduation of the WVU rifle team’s four seniors, it brings forth the question of who will fill the hole left by their departure.

National Champions Earn 20 All-America Honors | WVU Athletics
On the heels of its fourth straight and nation-best 18th national championship, the No. 1-ranked West Virginia University rifle team earned 20 All-America honors at the NCAA Postseason Banquet, held March 12, in Akron, Ohio.

Trio of Mountaineers look to shine at NCAA Championships | The Daily Athenaeum
With a national audience watching, three West Virginia University wrestlers look to shine in the Big Apple.

Around The Big XII:

Oklahoma's offense could soar in Year 2 under Lincoln Riley | ESPN
Offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley said that he's expecting QB Baker Mayfield to get improved play from the O-line, which allowed 41 sacks in 2015.

Around The NCAA:

Fill out your 2016 NCAA Tournament bracket with the MASCOT DEATHBRACKET | SBNation
Each year, we pick one March Madness bracket by determining which of the team's mascots -- nicknames, not people wearing furry suits -- would win a one-on-one fight to the death.

The 50 players you need to know to be a March Madness expert | SBNation
Study up! These are 50 players you need to know for March Madness.

2016 Mountain West football previews, from Hawaii to Boise State | SBNation
Bill Connelly's 128-team preview series moves on to the Mountain West. Tune in every weekday!

The Solid Verbal: Interviewing D.J. Durkin, the thoroughbred force Maryland needed all along | SBNation
Ok, not thoroughbred in that sense, but you get it.

SHUTDOWN FULLCAST 4.7: DEATH ROW SAVES THE DAY | Every Day Should Be Saturday
SOUTH CAROLINA ALREADY OFF TO AN AUSPICIOUS START

#9 Butler Bulldogs vs #8 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Today at 12:40PM ET on truTV. The Red Raiders are 4 point underdogs.

#13 Iona Gaels vs #4 Iowa State Cyclones
Today at 2:00PM ET on TBS. Iowa State is 8 point favorites over the Gaels.

#12 Yale Bulldogs vs #5 Baylor Bears
Today at 2:45PM ET on CBS. The Bears are 5 point favorites.

#16 Austin Peay Governors vs #1 Kansas Jayhawks
Today at 4:00PM ET on TNT. The Jayhawks should roll here as 26 point favorites.

2016 NCAA Tournament TV Schedule For Thursday & Friday Games: Times, TV Coverage & Broadcast Teams | The Smoking Musket
Here's the full rundown of games on Thursday and Friday, including TV coverage and the announcing team.

Today's Miss Throwdown is one of this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover models. CLICK HERE for Hailey Clauson's Instagram.