The Shotgun/Throwdown (6/27/18): Will Grier excited about how far West Virginia’s offense has progressed

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

Football

Grier giddy about offense's offseason progress | EerSports
Will Grier is back with West Virginia for his fifth and final season after picking the Mountaineers over the NFL, and the quarterback has found something he hasn't had in quite some time: Continuity.

Wesco not bothered by more competition at TE | WV News
He’s caught just two passes in 304 offensive snaps during his career — hardly a basis for optimism for more productivity in that play phase during his upcoming senior season. Yet, Trevon Wesco is all smiles in discussing the increased numbers in the tight end meeting room at West Virginia’s Puskar Center during the spring and summer, and what the addition in both numbers and talent could mean for his position during 2018.

Spavital has been around several high-level quarterbacks | WV News
West Virginia’s current offensive coordinator Jake Spavital has only been in the coaching profession for 10 years, but he’s already worked with an impressive list of college quarterbacks.

Visit to Rival Confirms Lineman's Choice to be a Mountaineer | EerSports
The newest Mountaineer discusses his decision.

Sweet Spot: Has West Virginia ever fielded a better group of WRs? | WV MetroNews
Episode 38 of the podcast lets the audience drive as your questions take the spotlight.

Basketball

Even without Carter and Miles, WVU basketball sports intriguing lineup | Charleston Gazette-Mail
In regard to personnel, all seems settled within the West Virginia University men’s basketball team. Departed guard Jevon Carter has been drafted by the NBA Memphis Grizzlies. Carter’s backcourt mate,

Smith giving back to game he loves | WV News
Basketball gave a lot to former West Virginia player Wellington Smith, a key part of the Mountaineers’ Final Four team of 2010. Now he’s giving back to the game ... and making a living out of it.

West Virginia Athletics

After ‘mutual parting’ with Dave Serrano, West Virginia adds OSU assistant | WV MetroNews
Pitching coach Dave Serrano’s tenure at West Virginia has ended after one season in what a school official described as “a mutual parting of ways.”

Mark Ginther Named Assistant Coach | West Virginia Athletics
West Virginia University baseball coach Randy Mazey has named Mark Ginther as the program's newest assistant coach

Around the Big 12

How Can Each Team Win the Big 12 Conference in 2018? | Heartland College Sports
How can every Big 12 football team win the Big 12 conference this fall?

Around the NCAA

If you take a team to its first College Football Playoff, here’s how big of a raise you get | SBNation
Here’s how each Playoff coach’s compensation has changed afterward.

Which TV networks’ college football intro theme songs slap, and which do not slap? | SBNation
Some broadcasters have used intro music that’s stood the test of time. Others were lacking and most definitely did not slap.

JIMBO FISHER WANTS A HORSE IN HIS OFFICE | Every Day Should Be Saturday
ALSO: WAS KEVIN SUMLIN AN UNDERCOVER HOT WEATHER GOTH?

What to know about Tyler Hilinski and CTE | SBNation
The deceased college quarterback’s brain "looked like that of a much older, elderly man," according to a doctor.

The NCAA is trying to destroy AAU basketball | SBNation
Changes are reportedly coming to college basketball recruiting, and they will be here soon.

Buffalo Bulls football workout is so impressive, it basically defies physics | SBNation
I’d been unaware that the human body could do this.

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.

Let’s pretend Iowa won’t go 8-5 this time. Will things be better or worse? | SBNation
A physical defense and plenty of fullback and tight end action? Kirk Ferentz’s 20th year should be ... familiar.

What counts as success for Indiana in the brutal Big Ten East? | SBNation
Tom Allen’s first Hoosiers were good on only one side of the ball, the mirror image of Kevin Wilson’s Hoosiers.

NFL rookie report: How the NFL’s 1st round QBs fared in minicamp | SBNation
Wednesday’s Rise ‘n Grind offers a report on this year’s first round quarterbacks and what to expect from each in 2018.

The Seven Most Interesting Restricted Free Agents of the NBA Offseason | The Ringer
From Aaron Gordon to Zach LaVine, there are a number of young talents entering the semi-open market as unfinished products. How many will find themselves tapping into their remaining potential on a different team?

The Best Albums of 2018—So Far | The Ringer
Ten shining examples of good music—but only one from GOOD Music

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