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Deuce McBride earns second Big 12 Player of the Week award of the season

Good morning! This is the Shotgun Throwdown, your daily West Virginia sports roundup.

NCAA Basketball: West Virginia at Texas Tech Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

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Men’s Basketball

McBride Earns Second Big 12 Honor This Season

West Virginia’s Miles “Deuce” McBride was named the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Co-Player of the Week. This was the second time this season that Deuce won the award. The sophomore guard scored 17 points, had four assists, and grabbed three rebounds in WVU’s win at #14 Texas, to help the Mountaineers extended their win road winning streak to five games. Deuce also shot 41.7% from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range against the Longhorns.

Huggins named to Naismith Coach of the Year Watch List

West Virginia head men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins has been named to the Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year Watch List. Huggins has 896 career wins to date and will become the fifth Division I coach all-time to win 900 career games. He is also seven wins away from tying Bob Knight for fourth place all-time. In addition, Huggins has been named as a nominee for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for the fourth consecutive year.

Once road weary, Mountaineers shining away from home this season

Two years ago, West Virginia stumbled to a 15-21 record, losing all 10 of its road games. While WVU was much improved a season ago and compiled a 21-10 mark, it was still only 4-8 on the road. This year, however, fortunes have changed away from home for the Mountaineers, who have won six of eight true road games and are 9-3 away from the Coliseum. Playing in mostly empty arenas due to COVID-19 means that many college basketball teams are not able to get a home court advantage this season.

Huggins impressed with effort of Mountaineers in win against Texas

The #10 West Virginia men’s basketball team defeated #14 Texas 84-82 on Saturday afternoon, despite trailing by 19 points in the second half. WVU head coach Bob Huggins was impressed with the tremendous effort his team showed after trailing in the second half. Huggins was happy that his team played hard, but noted that he needs the Mountaineers to play like that all the time. Huggins also discussed how defensive changes were one of the keys to the comeback.

The Day After | 19-point comeback is nice, but shouldn’t be happening

The #10 Mountaineers somehow pieced together a 19-point comeback at #14 Texas. West Virginia should be proud of its second 19-point comeback of the season, but there are still reasons to be concerned based on how WVU got down by 19 to the Longhorns. The main concern the Mountaineers face is that if they are not making shots, their defense is not always able to keep them in games when they face good opponents, like Texas.

Three Guys Before The Game – Texas Hump (Episode 272)

It’s a review and preview episode of “Three Guys Before The Game.” The guys review #10 West Virginia’s 19-point comeback at Texas on Saturday that helped the Mountaineers jump three spots in the latest AP rankings. The guys also preview WVU’s second game in its three-game Texas road swing at TCU.

Mountaineers on the hunt in Fort Worth for six straight Big 12 road win

#10 West Virginia will be looking to pick up its sixth consecutive Big 12 road win tonight when the Mountaineers travel to TCU. The Horned Frogs are coming off two straight losses while the WVU has won four of its last five games, with three of the four wins being against AP Top 25 teams.

Teays Valley Christian’s Josiah Davis commits to WVU

Teays Valley Christian junior point guard Josiah Davis has verbally committed to West Virginia. Davis is a 6-foot-3 guard and averaged 13 points per game in his sophomore season. Davis is also a self-proclaimed “defensive guy,” which is something WVU head coach Bob Huggins commonly looks for in recruits.

WVU’s Texas tour continues in Fort Worth Tuesday

In the second-to-last week of the Big 12 regular season, #10 West Virginia will finally get its first look at TCU tonight inside the Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth. Tip time is set for 7 p.m. ET.

Women’s Basketball

Carey after TCU win: ‘It just seemed like we kept losing a player, and we were able to pull out the win.’

The #18 West Virginia women’s basketball team overcame tough adversity in the second half without Kysre Gondrezick, to defeat TCU, 81-78, on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore forward Esmery Martinez had a double-double and led the Mountaineers with 21 points and 12 rebounds.

WVU women’s basketball climbs in AP poll

After a senior day victory over TCU, the West Virginia women’s basketball team climbed one spot this week in the Associated Press Top 25. The Mountaineers are now ranked #18, which is their highest ranking in the poll this season. #7 Baylor is the only other Big 12 team in the Top 25.

Gondrezick featured in latest WNBA mock draft from ESPN

The future is looking bright for West Virginia guard Kysre Gondrezick. The Mountaineer senior is featured in the latest WNBA mock draft from ESPN. According to the mock draft, Gondrezick is a potential third round pick, sitting at #34 overall. Since 2004, WVU has produced nine WNBA draft picks.

West Virginia Edges TCU on Senior Day

The #18 West Virginia women’s basketball team defeated TCU, 81-78, at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, on Saturday. WVU sophomore guard Kirsten Deans had 15 points, while redshirt senior guard Kysre Gondrezick added 14 points.

WVU at Baylor Rescheduled

The #18 West Virginia at #7 Baylor women’s basketball game previously scheduled for February 17th, will now be played on Monday, March 8th, at 8 p.m. ET.

Baseball

Crucial sixth inning lifts Mountaineers to victory

In game four of its series versus Georgia State, #14 West Virginia came away with a 3-2 victory. A sixth inning bunt from Mikey Kluska gave WVU the final lead. The Mountaineers split the series and are now 2-2. WVU will return to play on Friday in the Coastal Carolina Baseball Tournament with a game against Kennesaw State.

Bullpen leads WVU to series split at Georgia State

West Virginia’s bullpen tossed five shutout innings, allowed just one hit, and struck out six batters, as the Mountaineers secured a series split at Georgia State. WVU rallied for a 3-2 win in Sunday’s finale of the four-game set.

Gymnastics

WVU’s Floor Lineup Moves Up in Rankings

Following another 49.0+ showing on floor exercise, the West Virginia gymnastics team moves up one spot to #19 on floor in this week’s Road to Nationals Rankings. The Mountaineers are just outside the top 25 on balance beam, after moving up two spots to #26. WVU also sits at #36 on uneven bars and #40 on vault. As a team, the Mountaineers are ranked #32 and are showing improvement in their overall season average.

WVU loses to Denver for second time this season

The West Virginia gymnastics team lost to #9 Denver, 195.350- 196.550 in a close match on Sunday. Despite the loss, the Mountaineers were able to split the event titles with the Pioneers, winning balance beam and floor exercise. WVU will return to action on March 1st at Iowa State.

Kiana Lewis bolstering WVU gymnastics in first year

Freshman gymnast Kiana Lewis is off to a good start at West Virginia. Lewis has earned 67.375 points for the Mountaineers so far this season.

West Virginia Athletics

WVU rifle looks sharp at NCAA Qualifying

The #4 West Virginia rifle team finished with a score of 4713 in the NCAA Qualifying Match to send them to the NCAA Championships. The Mountaineers are looking to win their sixth national title in nine years. Before the NCAA Championships, WVU will compete in the Great American Rifle Conference Championship on February 27th.

WVU tennis sweeps Cleveland State in opener

The West Virginia tennis team began its spring season on Friday, by sweeping Cleveland State 7-0 at home in the first match of the season. WVU swept Cleveland State in the singles portion of the match and won two of the three doubles matches. The Mountaineers will look to continue their success as they have a two week break before they host VCU on March 5th.

WVU golf records top-10 finish at Seminole Intercollegiate

The West Virginia golf team came out of the second tournament of the spring season with an impressive showing at the Seminole Intercollegiate. The Mountaineers recording one of the best rounds in program history on Saturday and tied for 10th place. WVU senior Mark Goetz ended the tournament tied for sixth place individually.

WVU Concludes Visit to Camel City Invitational

The West Virginia track and field team earned a top-five finish on the final day of competition at the Camel City Invitational on Saturday. Freshman Jo-Lauren Keane paced the Mountaineers, finishing in fifth place in the women’s 800-meter run.

Goetz Named WVU Student-Athlete of the Week

Following a season-best score of 67, senior Mark Goetz of the West Virginia golf team has been named the WVU Student-Athlete of the Week.

Around the Big 12

Viral video shows OU football star beaten up by MMA-trained man, police investigating

Oklahoma wide receiver Spencer Jones was viciously beaten after provoking a fight in the bathroom of a Norman bar. A must-see video of the altercation quickly went viral after it was posted this past Friday. Jones had to have his left orbital bone reconstructed in a four-hour surgery after taking several punches to the face.

Big 12 Snapshot: A race to the finish

As we move into the final week of February, a few things about the Big 12 have settled out. #2 Baylor will likely win the regular season title, with Kansas State, TCU, and Iowa State will be bringing up the rear. Second place through seventh is still very much up in the air.

Reaves shines as No. 9 Oklahoma tops Iowa State 66-56

Senior guard Austin Reaves scored 20 points to lead #9 Oklahoma to a wild 66-56 victory over Iowa State on Saturday. Junior guard Rasir Bolton led the Cyclones with 14 points. This was the Sooners’ third straight win.

2021 Big 12 Wrestling Championship TV Coverage Announced

The 2021 Big 12 Wrestling Championship, set for March 6th and 7th, will have the first three sessions streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+, while the championship matches will be televised on ESPN2.

Around the NCAA

Dickinson’s 22 lifts No. 3 Michigan over No. 4 Ohio St 92-87

After six ties in the second half, #3 Michigan pulled away in the final minutes to hold off #4 Ohio State 92-87 Sunday in a meeting that showcased two teams that are trying to earn #1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. Freshman center Hunter Dickinson led the Wolverines with 22 points and nine rebounds.

Notre Dame won’t participate in new EA Sports college football game until NIL rules finalized

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said the school will not provide its name, logos, and other branding property to EA Sports for the new college football game until new rules that determine whether athletes will be able to receive a cut of the game’s profits are finalized.

NBA Power Rankings: Why the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets are making noise ahead of Week 10

Though the Western Conference standings look like a three-team race between the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers, but the rising Phoenix Suns are not far behind them. In the Eastern Conference of the NBA, the Brooklyn Nets just keep winning.

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