The Shotgun/Throwdown (6/4/18): It’s Camp Season At West Virginia

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

Football

June a crucial month for WVU football recruiting | Charleston Gazette-Mail
June is not often a month associated with football, but when it comes to the future of college football programs — especially at West Virginia University — it is one of the most important months of the year. As the school years end for high schoolers around the country, camp season begins. That includes West Virginia, which will hold a handful of camps in the coming days.

West Virginia Football: 2018 Mountaineers Preview and Prediction | Athlon Sports
Offense should not be a problem for West Virginia this season, not with a Heisman Trophy candidate returning at quarterback, along with his top two targets and a rock-solid offensive line. The outlook for the other side of the ball, however, is completely different. Head coach Dana Holgorsen and defensive coordinator Tony Gibson were already tasked with replacing seven starters before injuries and unexpected transfers came into play. If the Mountaineers can cobble a defense together, they have more than enough firepower to be a threat in the Big 12.

Holgorsen to Speak at Houston Touchdown Club on June 7 | West Virginia Athletics
The Houston Touchdown Club has announced that West Virginia University football coach Dana Holgorsen will be its featured speaker for its June 7 meeting at noon at the J.W. Marriott – Westheimer-Galleria. Holgorsen will be addressing the club about the West Virginia football program and its expectations for the 2018 season.

Breaking down WVU's 2017-18 athletic year | Charleston Gazette-Mail
A tweet floated through the Twitter-sphere after the conclusion of WVU’s most recent baseball season. It addressed the school’s 2017-18 athletic performance while most of the Mountaineer activity was powering down. “Very disappointing year,” said it. Which provided food for thought. Could it have been? Yes, there was the way the football season ended, etc. Still, that’s a broad stroke in such a few words. Also, one has to take perspective into consideration.

Basketball

Jevon Carter Sets Another NBA Workout | EerSports
The workout trail continues for former West Virginia point guard Jevon Carter. After workouts with the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, and Utah Jazz, among others, the former Mountaineer great will work out for the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

Gansey's Two Great Years at WVU Hall of Fame Worthy | West Virginia Athletics
The mid-2000s were a special time for West Virginia University sports. The Mountaineer football team, under Rich Rodriguez, quarterback Pat White and tailback Steve Slaton, was thriving, achieving top 10-status for an unprecedented three straight years in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The WVU men's basketball program also experienced a resurgence after John Beilein finally got things going when a guy named Mike Gansey decided to transfer in from St. Bonaventure.

Around the Big 12

Big 12 reports $365M revenue, increases for 12th year in row | Charleston Gazette-Mail
The Big 12 Conference had another record revenue year, and the money is expected to keep increasing in the near future.

Around the NCAA

A history of skyrocketing college football coach salaries, from Walter Camp to Nick Saban | SBNation
Let’s go back to the beginning and adjust everything for inflation along the way.

Nick Saban often complains about rules that are good for Alabama | SBNation
If it’s allowed, Bama’s gonna use it, on and off the field.

How to watch SB Nation’s ‘Foul Play: Paid in Mississippi’ free online | SBNation
The docuseries, which is the culmination of five years of reporting, premiered May 30 and you can watch the whole thing free online.

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.

Well, Kansas will give football another shot | SBNation
David Beaty has won three games at Kansas in three years, but his Jayhawks enjoy far more continuity this year than at any point in his tenure. Will that make a difference?

Stephen Curry has never won a Finals MVP. He looks like he wants it. | SBNation
Curry just broke Ray Allen’s record for most 3s in a Finals game. He hasn’t won a Finals MVP yet, but this looks like his year.

Tiger Woods results 2018: Big Cat fades quietly in Memorial final round | SBNation
Sunday was a disappointment for Tiger at Muirfield Village, but this was not a lost week with the U.S. Open bearing down next.

Stanley Cup: How Capitals delivered in Washington’s biggest sports moment | SBNation
The Capitals took a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup Final and gave their fans something new and amazing.

Whose Rap Flow Was the Sickest? | The Ringer
To honor the 10th anniversary of ‘Tha Carter III,’ we’re finding instances of rappers using one of Lil Wayne’s favorite metaphors—"flow so sick"—and determining who really is ill

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