The Shotgun/Throwdown (7/2/18): Better Think Twice Before Picking West Virginia Against The Spread This Season

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

Football

Be cautious betting on Mountaineer football against the spread | The Times WV
It won’t be long before West Virginians begin pouring into casinos to make legalized wagers on football games. This being a state which has no major league professional teams has led to West Virginians giving their hearts to WVU sports, perhaps with football above all else.

WVU QB Will Grier ready for Mountaineers' 'cool schedule' | Charleston Gazette-Mail
If you go to a West Virginia University football press conference, it’s never difficult to figure out where Mountaineer quarterback Will Grier is seated. When Grier speaks these days, attention is commanded. And recently, Grier spoke on a variety of topics Mountaineer football-related

No Hype, No Problem For Long Jr. and Mountaineer D | West Virginia Athletics
Late last month during a Q & A session with the media, junior linebacker David Long Jr. was reminded of West Virginia's "yes buts" for 2018 - "yes buts" being the numerous questions surrounding this year's football team. Of course, nearly all of those "yes buts" revolve around a Mountaineer defense that gave up 31.5 points per game in 2017, and seemingly doesn't possess the name recognition their offensive counterparts have.

Whispers turn into praise for WVU football's Trevon Wesco | Charleton Gazette-Mail
There were whispers early in Trevon Wesco’s West Virginia University football career that, hey, maybe he’s just not going to work out. There were suggestions he might indeed be a bust. Some believed Miami transfer Jovani Haskins would blow right by the former Musselman High standout at tight end. Today, though, those whispers have been quieted.

WVU football recruiting: Decisions loom for prospects during dead period | Charleston Gazette-Mail
The dead period is here. College coaches are not allowed to visit recruits, nor are recruits allowed to visit college campuses. The moratorium on recruiting was meant to give everyone a break, allowing recruits to enjoy their summer and coaches to take vacation. The move has, in some ways, done the exact opposite, as many recruits see July as a perfect time to make a commitment – and that includes several West Virginia targets.

Spavital sees offensive evolution as key to success | WV News
For the first seven years of the Dana Holgorsen reign over Mountaineer football, tight ends weren’t a huge part of its offense. But now heading into his second year as WVU’s offensive coordinator, Jake Spavital is remaking parts of the offense. The main change is at the tight end position, where West Virginia now has four scholarship players in Wesco, former Miami transfer Jovani Haskins and two true freshmen, T.J. Banks and Mike O’Laughlin. It’s all part of the evolution of offensive football, in Spavital’s opinion.

Basketball

WVU hoops has potential for flexible lineups | WV News
West Virginia’s revamped and rolled-over basketball roster offers lots of promise — and lots of options — for the 2018-19 season. With a number of players capable of playing multiple positions, the Mountaineers could roll out numerous different looks when they take the court next season.

Around the NCAA

Well, Butch Jones’ former players are now trolling him for his ‘champions of life’ quote | SBNation
This is glorious.

An open letter to Georgia Tech, congratulating the Yellow Jackets for leaving Russell | SBNation
The Yellow Jackets have taken a huge step, and I’m legitimately excited for them.

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.

Michigan better be awesome again, because the schedule certainly is | SBNation
Jim Harbaugh’s fourth season could be a lot like his first two: top-10 quality and close games against other elites.

Purdue matters again! But it might take time to top 2017’s turnaround | SBNation
Jeff Brohm pulled off a mini-miracle, but Purdue’s going to need to score even more this time.

Northwestern keeps slowly getting better, but 2018 might be a transition year | SBNation
The Wildcats’ schedule features four top teams and a challenging start, but Northwestern will still be as Northwestern as ever.

LeBron James agrees to 4-year deal with the Lakers. He really did it | SBNation
The King is taking his talents out West this time.

Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and the young Lakers are SO hype for LeBron James | SBNation
Of course they went to Twitter immediately.

9 winners and losers from the first night of NBA free agency | SBNation
A lot went on in two hours of free agency action.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS NEWS: JOHN TAVARES SIGNS WITH TORONTO | Pension Plan Puppets
Of course they did.

Daddy Issues: On ‘Scorpion,’ Drake Is a Father of Many Styles—and Also a Child | The Ringer
Drizzy’s 25-track double album shows the reigning king of popular music at his best, worst, and most exhausting (Editor’s Note: Drake’s song with Michael Jackson absolutely slaps and should be the song of the Summer)

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