The Shotgun/Throwdown (2/13/19): Dismissals Were The Best Move For A West Virginia Team In Turmoil

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

FOOTBALL

Contract details for new West Virginia assistant Trickett, analysts | WV MetroNews
Travis Trickett’s return home is a fruitful one. A Wes Virginia graduate who was hired Monday as the final coach on Neal Brown’s new coaching staff, Trickett will earn $250,000 annually over the next two years.

BASKETBALL

WVU basketball dismissals the best move for a team in turmoil | Charleston Gazette-Mail
West Virginia University made the most prudent move it could in regard to the 2018-19 men’s basketball season. It pulled the plug.

Dismissals of Ahmad, Harris latest turn in dismal West Virginia basketball season | WV MetroNews
West Virginia dismissed senior Esa Ahmad and junior Wesley Harris for violating athletics department policies, adding upheaval to an already disappointing season.

Offers out to high-scoring guards, West Virginia still building 2019 class | WV MetroNews
Juco guards Tajzmel Sherman and Sean McNeil, and prep schooler Clarence Nadolny, are among the late-cycle prospects WVU is pursuing.

WVU Looks to Rebound at Texas Tech | West Virginia University Athletics
The West Virginia University women's basketball team will look to bounce back from Saturday's loss at Iowa State on Wednesday when the team travels to Lubbock, Texas, for a Big 12 battle with Texas Tech. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. inside United Supermarkets Arena.

BASEBALL

Manoah Looking to Capitalize on Cape Cod League Success in 2019 | West Virginia University Athletics
Former West Virginia University standouts Chris Enochs and Jedd Gyorko parlayed their Cape Cod League success into outstanding junior seasons and high selections in the Major League Baseball Draft. Veteran Mountaineer baseball coach Randy Mazey is hopeful junior righthander Alek Manoah can do something similar this year after his outstanding summer in the Cape.

Kessler Named to Stopper of the Year Watch List | West Virginia University Athletics
West Virginia University baseball junior right-handed pitcher Sam Kessler has been recognized on the preseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year Award, presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).

WVU baseball: All-American Alek Manoah gets 'serious,' ready to lead Mountaineer pitching staff | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Alek Manoah’s talent on a pitching mound is not a new thing for the West Virginia University baseball team. His dedication to the craft and to getting his body ready to be a top flight Big 12 pitcher, however, could help lead the Mountaineers back into the hunt for an NCAA tournament bid this season.

Hill headlines 'Psychos' in WVU outfield | WV News
He might-be the most mild-mannered and even-keeled player on the team — at least to outward appearances. Senior rightfielder Darius Hill is calm and composed in most situations, whether it is while patrolling the outfield, rounding the bases or dealing with the media. Behind that, though, is his membership in an outfield group known as “The Psychos” — a self-administered description that calls out their dedication to doing anything possible to win.

2019 Radio and Online Streaming Schedule Set | West Virginia University Athletics
West Virginia University baseball fans will have numerous ways to follow the Mountaineers again this year, as the radio broadcast schedule and affiliate list and online streaming information has been announced for the 2019 season.

WEST VIRGINIA ATHLETICS

Zinn Named to SBJ’s Forty Under 40 Class | West Virginia University Athletics
West Virginia University Deputy Director of Athletics Keli Zinn has been named to the prestigious Sports Business Journal's Forty Under 40 class of 2019.

Men’s Soccer 2019 Signing Class Announced | West Virginia University Athletics
West Virginia University men's soccer coach Marlon LeBlanc has announced that nine student-athletes have committed to join the program for the 2019 season.

AROUND THE NCAA

Texas A&M internet warns of a Longhorns recruiting rankings conspiracy | SBNation
It appears Texas simply signed a slightly better class, as far as evaluators are concerned.

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 Bowling Green to Alabama. Check out the teams Bill has already previewed by clicking HERE.

The country’s best 2019 college football preview series begins with Bowling Green | SBNation
By mid-August, Bill Connelly will complete deep looks into all 130 FBS teams. That starts now.

Ball State has depth and experience for once. Time to win some games. | SBNation
Mike Neu needs this to be the year the injury bug stops biting the Cardinals so damn much.

Kent State is becoming more fun and talented. That’s enough for now | SBNation
Still a long way to go, as always.

Several weird years brought CMU and Jim McElwain together. Now what? | SBNation
Can the Chippewas finally build some stability?

Akron’s betting on one of the most Northeastern Ohio coaches alive | SBNation
The local who played and coached nearby has an interesting resume, but he’s gonna need some time, at least.

Kliff Kingsbury is a coward if he doesn’t draft Kyler Murray | SBNation
Murray is now all-in on the NFL. The Cardinals should pick him No. 1.

How Duke stunned Louisville with a historic comeback fueled by Zion Williamson | SBNation
Duke trailed by as many as 23 points in this game.

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