The Shotgun/Throwdown: Baseball Season is Just Around the Corner for West Virginia

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

Football

Offseason Mountaineer Football Notebook

While spring football practice is still on the horizon for West Virginia, some former Mountaineers are starting new chapters of their professional careers. Former WVU left tackle Colton McKivitz was extended an invitation to participate in this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. Former Mountaineer standout Terence Garvin had six tackles in his XFL debut with the St. Louis BattleHawks.

Basketball

Mountaineers Undefeated Home Streak Comes To End Against Kansas

The #14 West Virginia men’s basketball team played a back and forth game with #3 Kansas. WVU collapsed at the end of the game, not scoring a single point in the last 5:07 of regulation, to lose 49-58.

This week, Harler plays his most important role: team psychologist

While the senior guard from Moundsville is one of Bob Huggins’ favorite players to turn to off the bench, his greater value to the team may come off the floor. Chase Harler can translate Huggins’ message to his teammates in more positive terms.

West Virginia Falls Late to Kansas State

The West Virginia women’s basketball team fell apart against Kansas State to lose 56-55 on the Mountaineers’ home court on Tuesday. WVU was up 46-32 with just seven minutes left in the game and then allowed the Wildcats to go on a 17-0 run.

West Virginia Athletics

2020 Season Preview

Following one of the most memorable and successful seasons in program history, a new-look West Virginia baseball team is out to continue its momentum. A host of talented up-and-comers join a core of experienced veterans to make up a program hungry to duplicate the feats of a year ago.

Mountaineers Hold Steady at No. 3

The West Virginia rifle team sits at #3 in the College Rifle Coaches Association Rankings. The Mountaineers are currently 9-0 with one match remaining in the regular season against #1 Kentucky.

Mountaineers Maintain Rankings

The West Virginia gymnastics team sits just outside the top 25 in this week’s Road to Nationals Rankings at #29. The Mountaineers are also ranked #27 on uneven bars and #28 on floor exercise.

2020 Outdoor Track Slate Announced

The West Virginia outdoor track schedule has been announced. Some of the notable meets on the schedule include trips to Virginia, NC State, and Stanford, as well as three home events for the Mountaineers at The Track & Field Complex at Mylan Park.

WVU Adds Game vs. Kent State

The West Virginia baseball team has added a home game against Kent State on Wednesday, March 4, at 4 p.m. ET, at Monongalia County Ballpark. Last year, WVU swept Kent State in a three-game series.

Plungas Joins Volleyball Staff

West Virginia volleyball coach Reed Sunahara announced the hiring of Traci Plungas as assistant coach on Wednesday. After serving as an assistant at Colgate, Plungas will serve as WVU’s recruiting coordinator, and will assist with the team’s daily training sessions and match preparations.

Around the Big 12

Capito voices irritation with Big 12 streaming service in Senate hearing

With Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby in a U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing, West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito took the opportunity to ask about a matter of concern to her constituency, the Big 12 Now streaming service on ESPN+. Capito voiced her displeasure with Big 12 Now due to the challenges of some rural West Virginians in finding a proper broadband connection for high-speed internet.

Anei helps lead Oklahoma State over Kansas State 64-59

Lindy Waters III had 12 points, Jonathan Laurent scored 11, and Cameron McGriff added 10 points and eight rebounds, as Oklahoma State picked up its first win against Kansas State since 2017.

Buchanan Named Wrestler of the Week

Wyoming’s Stephen Buchanan has been named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week. This is the first career conference honor for the freshman.

Around the NCAA

Bracketology 2020: The Selection Committee’s preview bracket goes up in smoke

Five of the committee’s top 16 teams lost over the weekend, so today’s bracket projection differs significantly from what was seen on Saturday. Where is West Virginia in the latest Bracketology?

No. 23 Creighton tops 10th-ranked Seton Hall 87-82

There is more to the Big East Conference this season than #10 Seton Hall, #15 Villanova, #18 Marquette, and #19 Butler. Watch out for #23 Creighton.

NFL reinstates Browns’ Myles Garrett from suspension

The NFL reinstated Myles Garrett on Wednesday, two days after the Cleveland Browns’ star defensive end met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Garrett was suspended indefinitely after ripping the helmet off Mason Rudolph and hitting the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback in the head with it in November.

12 perfect Valentine’s Day cards to send to your favorite sports fan

It is almost Valentine’s Day. Check out these sports related cards that you might want to use for your special someone.

Jayson Tatum is becoming a superstar right before our eyes

The Boston Celtics have a young superstar and his name is Jayson Tatum. Tatum is becoming the postseason catalyst that all title contending teams, like the Celtics, need.

The best NFL teams for Philip Rivers, based on 6 different factors

Philip Rivers won’t be a Charger for the first time since 2004. Here is where the veteran NFL quarterback could end up.

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