The Shotgun/Throwdown (6/25/18): Ezekiel Rose believes West Virginia’s defense can be one of the most dominant in the Big 12

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

Football

WVU football: Will Grier would 'love to bring a Heisman here' | EerSports
In 13 days, West Virginia will fully unveil the website designed to promote quarterback Will Grier's case for the Heisman Trophy. In the middle of last week, WVU debuted a preview version of Grier7Heisman.com with a clock counting down to the official launch and the highlight video teasing the occasion. The people involved promise the finished product will not disappoint.

WVU football: Rose certain DL can be 'one of the most dominant' | EerSports
Ezekiel Rose hasn't been playing at West Virginia long enough for everyone to know everything about him, but he's been around just long enough to know the most important part. The defensive end has never lacked confidence, and that got him on the field last season, his first with the Mountaineers after two seasons in junior college.

WVU's Rose sizes up newcomers on defensive line | Charleston Gazette-Mail
At the end of March, there was serious concern as to whether WVU’s explosive offense might be sabotaged by a porous defense in 2018, especially along the Mountaineer front. At least one man, however, thinks West Virginia might come out of the situation smelling like a rose.

WVU's Askew-Henry trying to show NFL scouts the old Dravon | Charleston Gazette-Mail
This was supposed to be a fun time for WVU defensive back Dravon Askew-Henry. Yet when Athlon magazines hit the shelves this summer, Askew-Henry wasn’t among the WVU players on the All-Big 12 preseason first team, while Will Grier, David Sills, Yodny Cajuste, David Long and Marcus Simms were. In fact, he wasn’t even on the second team.

HERTZEL COLUMN: Jennings hopes to amend TD  short-comings in 2018 | The Times WV
As West Virginia heads into the summer in preparation for the 2018 season, they do so with a plethora of riches at one position — wide receiver.

HERTZEL COLUMN: The five most important players to WVU football this season | The Times WV
West Virginia heads to football camp in a little more than a month, and it goes there with high expectations, despite bearing the weight of a 7-6 season behind them. That screams out a need for improvement, especially on the defensive side of the ball, but also in an area where they came up rolling 7s all season — luck.

Basketball

WVU's Miles gets 2-way offer from Kings | Charleston Gazette-Mail
West Virginia men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins announced in a tweet Friday afternoon that Mountaineers shooting guard Daxter Miles Jr. has received a two-way contract offer from the Sacramento Kings.

Basketball Season Ticket Renewals Now Available | West Virginia Athletics
Coming off its third NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in four seasons, WVU men's basketball is building toward another exciting campaign in 2018-19. Season ticket holders can now renew their 2018-19 season tickets online at WVUGAME.com.

Around the NCAA

How does wind affect a college football game (and its over/under)? | Football Study Hall
When it’s windy, bet the under. If you can trust the weather forecast, anyway.

TODAY’S FBS TEAM PREVIEW 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.

Rutgers has a defense, but that whole “scoring points” thing could remain a problem | SBNation
Third-year head coach Chris Ash has built depth and boasts quite a few exciting prospects.

Scott Frost has massive potential at Nebraska, but he’s going to need a Year Zero | SBNation
The former Husker quarterback takes the reins after leading UCF to a claimed national title. He had more to work with in Orlando.

Why we should have patience with P.J. Fleck in Year 2 | SBNation
His second Minnesota squad still has glaring holes, but should be in lots of close games.

NBA mock draft 2019: Watch Duke if you want to see next year’s top prospects | SBNation.com
Who are the players to watch for next year’s NBA Draft? Three of them will be playing for one college team.

Baseball is good because of hot dog guns, Shohei Ohtani, and majestic mullets | SBNation
Welcome to this week in baseball-related still images and videos. The Phillie Phanatic almost shot someone’s eye out.

Which final World Cup group stage games should you watch? | SBNation
There are 16 games left, some much better than others.

Who Is Running the Sixers? | The Ringer
In the midst of a historically consequential offseason, Philadelphia is going with front-office-by-committee with coach Brett Brown as the loudest voice in the room. With Kawhi Leonard in play and LeBron hitting free agency, can the Sixers build a true contender without one single person calling the shots?

The 10 Biggest Questions of the 2018 NBA Free-Agency Bonanza | The Ringer
LeBron James will probably hit the market. Paul George might not (?). And Kawhi Leonard could get traded. Here’s everything we’re wondering about heading into what could be the offseason to end all offseasons.

The Best TV of 2018—So Far | The Ringer
Including ‘The Good Fight,’ ‘The Terror,’ and, yes, ‘Killing Eve’

VIDEO OVERLOAD

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