The Shotgun/Throwdown: Winning Mentality Could Return to West Virginia Basketball

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

Football

WVU Football bowl projections heading into the bye week

Do the Mountaineers have a shot at making it to a bowl game this season? And if they do, who might they be matched up against? Take a look at some bowl season predictions for West Virginia at this point in the year.

Former WVU kicker/punter Pat McAfee accepts Brown’s olive branch

Pat McAfee is one of West Virginia football’s most publicly visible alums, but the former all-American punter and kicker revealed on a recent broadcast of his radio show that he has been in a self-imposed exile from visiting Morgantown since his college career ended. However, comments from WVU coach Neal Brown on Tuesday led to a response from McAfee that indicates the ice is thawing.

WVU OL Sills Undergoes Surgery, out for Remainder of Season.

West Virginia offensive lineman Josh Sills will miss the remainder of the 2019 season due to a shoulder injury. Coach Neal Brown said that the team has not yet inquired about a medical redshirt for Sills.

Basketball

Freshman McBride Brings a Winning Mentality to WVU’s Backcourt

These days it’s difficult to excite 66-year-old Bob Huggins, who has now seen just about everything twice on a basketball court. But when the subject turns to winning, and winners, Huggins’ eyes still light up.

Bob Huggins Preseason News Conference

West Virginia men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins held his preseason press conference earlier this week. During the conference, Huggins gave insight about his team and their upcoming season. Listen to what Huggins had to say.

Eagerly or not, Huggins ready to start West Virginia’s basketball season

Bob Huggins was already in midseason form at his opening press conference for West Virginia’s 2019-20 basketball season. Coach Huggins showed his reserved side when he hinted that he isn’t necessarily excited for the first practice of the season this week, but he did relay some signs of encouragement when he spoke about the new group of Mountaineers.

Women’s Hoops Television Coverage Announced

The West Virginia women’s basketball team will make four appearances on national television this season. The Mountaineers will also have six games that will be on regional broadcasts.

West Virginia Athletics

Papineau Shoots Record Low at Old Town Club

#17 West Virginia finished tied for third place at 12-under par in the Old Town Club Collegiate Invitational. Senior Etienne Papineau set a program record with a 54-hole total of 203 at the invitational.

Big Second Half Propels WVU Over Ohio State

The West Virginia men’s soccer team scored three goals in the second half against Ohio State to come away with a 4-1 victory. Senior midfielder Andres Muriel Albino scored two of WVU’s goals to help the Mountaineers improve their record to 5-2-1.

Jackson Collects First Big 12 Honor

Junior Hayley Jackson of the West Virginia cross country team has been named the Big 12 Women’s Runner of the Week. Jackson recently led WVU at the Lock Haven Invitational with her second place finish.

Mountaineers in the Pros: Week Three

In this week’s report, Oakland’s Karl Joseph tallies a season-high eight tackles and Najee Goode helps the Jaguars get a win on Thursday Night Football over the Titans.

Around the Big 12

Big 12 agrees to sponsorship deal with Natural Light Seltzer

The Big 12 Conference and brewing company Anheuiser-Busch announced a partnership on Tuesday that makes Natural Light Seltzer “the Official Hard Seltzer of the Big 12 Conference.”

Women’s college soccer: 5 things to know before Big 12 play kicks off

The Big 12 will hope to produce a title contender this year, as the conference has never been able to generate a national champion. The closest was when West Virginia finished runner-up in 2016.

Big 12 Mascot Battle Royale

Last week Washington State’s head coach Mike Leach was asked who would win a Pac-12 mascot battle and he went into great detail on the strengths and weaknesses of each mascot and why they might win or lose in the massive hypothetical brawl. Take a look at this battle breakdown for the Big 12 mascots.

No. 6 Oklahoma rolls into Big 12 opener vs. Texas Tech

#6 Oklahoma and Texas Tech are set to square off in Norman. This will be the first conference game for both teams, and they are both coming off of a bye week.

Around the NCAA

The path for these one-loss teams to still make the CFB Playoff

Teams like Texas, Notre Dame, and Oregon have already suffered a loss this season, but that doesn’t mean that they are out of playoff contention. Let’s look at some notable one-loss programs and their chances to still reach the playoff.

College football picks by Bud Elliott

Every week, Bud Elliott picks spreads and totals across the country. Track those here, along with the status of various futures throughout the year.

Yelling about transfers is more than a century-old college football tradition

When it comes to player movement around the sport, coaches and administrators have virtually always found something to argue about.

Why Ole Miss is Ole Miss: A GIF exhibit

It is easier to show someone what makes Ole Miss so strange than it is to say it. It requires illustrations, preferably in motion.

NFL picks 2019, Week 4: Experts predict the Cowboys will go marching into New Orleans and leave with a win

The Cowboys haven’t won in New Orleans since 2009, but that’s one outcome this expert panel thinks will happen this week.

NFL Panic Index 2019: It’s hard out here for bird teams

The Eagles and Falcons have major questions to answer after a particularly bad week for our avian friends. And what’s up with the Cowboys’ slow starts?

Baker Mayfield and the Browns don’t need to fix *that* much to get on track

The Browns offense has been surprisingly dull and unproductive, but it’s not doomed to be that way all year.

---

Have any tips, suggestions or requests for what you want to see in The Shotgun/Throwdown? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or contact us on social media.

Follow us!
Twitter: @smokingmusket
Facebook: The Smoking Musket