The Shotgun/Throwdown (4/2/18): West Virginia Scrambling To Fill Defensive Holes

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

Football

WVU football still trying to fill defensive holes | Charleston Gazette-Mail
When National Signing Day came and went in February, West Virginia still had three open scholarships for the 2018 recruiting class. The coaching staff made it clear, though, that their attention would turn to grad transfers as they searched for players who could fill holes and help immediately this fall. Two months later, the Mountaineers have made major progress in filling those three spots.

Graduate transfer cornerback sounds excited over WVU offer | WV MetroNews
With West Virginia coaches in hot pursuit of three graduate transfers to bolster next season’s defense, one of their top targets sent an enthusiastic message late Friday night.

Bigelow transferring to West Virginia, aiming to match 5-star promise | WV MetroNews
Rated the nation’s top defensive tackle in 2013, Kenny Bigelow appeared in 18 games over five years at USC. Now he’s coming to West Virginia having been granted a sixth year of eligibility.

WVU corner Hakeem Bailey wants to build off strong points of first season | Charleston Gazette-Mail
he best strategy for Hakeem Bailey is to have a selective short memory — cherish the good points and jettison the bad.

Derrek Pitts' fearless attitude helps in position change | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Along with plenty of physical attributes, former South Charleston football standout Derrek Pitts has something else going for him as he transitions from safety to corner. That’s according to his new West Virginia University position coach, Doug Belk.

Basketball

WVU's Jevon Carter wins pair of national defensive player of the year awards | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Jevon Carter won a pair of national defensive player of the year awards Sunday. That morning, he was announced as the inaugural winner of the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award, then copped his second straight National Defensive Player of the Year award from the National Association of Basketball Coaches that evening.

'Hot Rod' documentary tells Hundley's complete story | Charleston Gazette-Mail
As Tony Caridi and Dan Lohmann began the journey that ultimately led to their documentary “Hot Rod,” the story of “Hot Rod” Hundley’s life through childhood and his legendary careers as both basketball player and broadcaster, they knew they had a great story.

Baseball

Texas Tech punishes WVU bullpen for series clincher | WV MetroNews
No. 7 Texas Tech rattled West Virginia’s bullpen for seven runs during an 8-5 win Saturday in the rubber game of their weekend series.

West Virginia Athletics

WVU Tops Rival Marshall | West Virginia Athletics
After grabbing an early lead, the West Virginia University women's tennis team survived a late rally to best Marshall, 4-3, on Saturday afternoon, at the Brian David Fox Tennis Center in Huntington, West Virginia.

Around The NCAA

How the Wolverines can pull the upset in the national title | SBNation
The Wolverines are six-point underdogs, but they’ve got more than a puncher’s chance in the NCAA final.

The worst NFL draft takes of 2018 so far | SBNation
Our favorite draft tradition is back. Now please stop saying Lamar Jackson should switch to wide receiver.

How the Irish made an improbable comeback to win the championship | SBNation
ARIKE OGUNBOWALE!!!

TODAY’S FBS TEAM PREVIEWS BY BILL C

As always, SB Nation’s Bill Connelly is working his way through every Division I FBS football team, from Georgia State to Alabama. Check out the teams Bill has already previewed by clicking HERE.

Every Nevada game might be a high-scoring thriller. That just feels right, doesn’t it? | SBNation
Jay Norvell’s first Wolf Pack team made late strides on offense. The defense? Not so much.

Bob Davie is somehow still employed at New Mexico. We’ll see how long that lasts. | SBNation
Davie was suspended in the spring after a series of conduct investigations, but he’s still in charge for what should be a trying seventh year in Albuquerque.

Why did the Chargers sign Geno Smith? | SBNation
It’s time for Smith to start over in Los Angeles

Bailey clings to NFL dream 2 years after shooting: ‘I don’t think God makes mistakes’ | WV MetroNews
He’s 27 years old, 28 months removed from a near-fatal drive-by shooting, sports a titanium plate in his head, and remains convinced he can play receiver in the NFL again. So Stedman Bailey’s appearance at West Virginia’s pro day transcended 40 times and route-running.

Tiger Woods’ peers say ‘it’s a joke’ he is favorite to win the Masters | SBNation
Woods’ ex-coach, Hank Haney, says the many PGA Tour pros he’s chatted with scoff at the notion that he can win this year’s Masters.

Tony Ferguson explains ‘accident’ that led to his UFC 223 withdrawal | MMA Fighting
After an injury forced Tony Ferguson out of UFC 223 on Sunday, the lightweight star explained the situation in a social media post.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s MLS debut featured a 40-yard bomb and a 3-goal comeback | SBNation
I just started getting into soccer this year, and have jumped on the LAFC bandwagon. Imagine my shock when this old dude from Sweden came in late in the match and completely ripped my heart out in the inaugural El Trafico. Life isn’t fair.

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